Magnetic tape cartridges are remarkably resilient media, but they still need to be properly cared for. Although tape life is expressed in years, careless tape handling can cut that to weeks, or even destroy a tape entirely. To get the most of out your tapes, it's important to handle them carefully and store them properly.

Manufacturers have specific instructions for the care of magnetic tape cartridges, which differ from tape technology to tape technology. It's important to follow those instructions in addition to the general suggestions presented here.