A media supply apparatus and associated methods are provided. The
apparatus can include a spool on which a media is wound, and/or the media
can be provided in a cartridge either wound about a spool or wound about
itself. A wireless device such as a programmable radio frequency
identification (RFID) device is disposed on the media, for example, near
one of the ends of the media. The wireless device can have a memory that
is configured to store data and an antenna configured to receive a radio
frequency signal for programming the memory. Thus, the wireless device
can be used to store data associated with the supply apparatus such as
the type of media, aspects of the manufacture of the media, and the like.
In some cases, the data can be programmed before or during use of the
supply apparatus.