A collapsible reel having a high strength to weight ratio is provided. The collapsible reel comprises a core, around which a flexible media is wound, and flanges which prevent the wound flexible media from migrating axially off of the core. The core is formed of first and second blanks having hub portions and a plurality of spaced apart tabs projecting from the hub portions. To form the core, the tabs of each blank are folded and the tabs of the first blank are secured to the corresponding tabs of the second blank. The flanges are then adhered to the outer surface of the hub portions.