Computer tapes as well as audio tapes are made with an emulsion layer as a base which may change over time at different rates. This is also a problem with most CDs that are combinations of different layers. Physical storage is therefore similar to film since temperature fluctuations will aggravate deterioration. Tapes should be stored vertically and protected from dust. Tape signals can travel through the base if they are not played for several years.
Archival supplies are available for all shapes and sizes of tapes and disks.
Electronic technology is not a preservation medium. Paper printouts, even those on low grade computer paper, are still considered more stable than tape or disk. On the other hand, it is always simpler and less expensive to store a record in the medium in which it was created. Because of rapid changes in hardware, it is important to copy computer files regularly, converting to the latest technology available. Another step is to make sure you remove materials like paper clips, rubber bands, and wrapping material.