A reel for holding tape includes a hub with a cylindrical surface about which the tape is wound to form a tape pack. Flanges are fixed to either end of the hub, forming parallel inner surfaces. At least one of the inner surfaces has a compliant raised pattern. The raised pattern provides one or more of a plurality of compliant tape contacting surfaces providing an aligning forced to the tape edge as the tape edge is wound into the tape pack, channels allowing air to escape from between the tape and the tape pack as the tape is wound into the tape pack, and compliant sides reducing the possibility for damage to tape in the tape pack due to shock received by the reel.