An RFID system, such as an RFID printer system, is used to create an RFID performance profile by interrogating an RFID tag at a first position starting at a minimum RF power and increasing the RF power until a successful interrogation is obtained. The RFID tag is then moved forward into a next position and the interrogation process is repeated, starting at the minimum RF power. The process continues until the RFID tag is out of interrogation range even at a maximum RF power or some other user-defined stop point. The power level and position are stored at each position of the RFID tag during this process. The data is compiled to create a profile of the RF performance, which can then be used in a variety of ways to improve system performance.