The present disclosure generally relates to a tape utilized with a tape drive including a tape head. The tape comprises a plurality of writeable portions configured to store data and a plurality of non-writeable portions that are unable to store data. The writeable portions comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: Ru, Pt, Ta, and Co, and the non-writeable portions comprise a different material than the writeable portions. Each writeable portion is defined between two non-writeable portions, and each writeable portion has a greater area on the tape than each non-writeable portion. The non-writeable portions are utilized during stop-start and turn-around operations of the tape head, are configured to lubricate the tape head, clean the tape head, and remove debris from the tape head. The non-writeable portions enable improved performance of the tape drive while reducing a cost of the tape.