Radio frequency identification tags on consumable items used in printers and related equipment

Improvements relating to identification tags on consumable supply items used in identity document production equipment. The use of identification tags on the consumable supply items allows the document production equipment to recognize the consumable supply items that are loaded into each piece of equipment. The equipment can then initiate a variety of activities that are based on the loaded supply item. The activities are designed to enhance the operation of the equipment for the equipment operator and to provide added value to those customers who utilize consumable supply items that are recognized by the equipment. A consumable supply item (10,60) for data bearing document production equipment comprises a cylinder (14,64) for supply material having first and second open ends and a spindle passageway extending along a rotation axis between the first and second open ends to enable the cylinder to be disposed on a rotatable spindle (12,70,72) of the production equipment; and a radio frequency identification tag comprising a tag body (20,76) having an aperture formed therethrough that is configured to allow passage through the tag body (20,76) of at least a portion of the spindle (12,70,72) when the cylinder (14,64) is disposed on the spindle (12,70,72), an antenna (22) formed on the tag body (20,76), and a memory element (24) disposed on the tag body (20,76), wherein the antenna (22) surrounds the aperture.