a magnetic recording tape for data storage comprising a non - magnetic substrate having a front side and a backside , a magnetic layer formed over the front side of the substrate containing magnetic pigment particles , and a binder system therefor ; the magnetic particles typically have a coercivity of at least about 2000 oe . the substrate also has a backside coating layer formed over the backside surface of the substrate comprising at least one non - magnetic pigment and at least one binder therefor ; the pigment is present in a range of from about 49 % to about 55 %, and the backside coating exhibits compressibility .