Abstract: A carrier tape includes a longitudinal strip having a plurality of component receiving pockets positioned therein. The pocket depth is greater than a thickness of the longitudinal strip. Adjacent pockets are spaced apart by a distance less than approximately five times the thickness of the longitudinal strip. Sidewalls separating adjacent pockets have a height greater than the pocket depth minus a height of a component which the pockets are configured to receive. The carrier tape is produced by providing a rotatable tool and a nip roll having a conformable outer circumferential surface opposed to the tool. The outer circumferential surface of the tool includes projections for forming the pockets. A polymer web is introduced into a nip between the tool and the nip roll, and embossed with the projections on the circumferential surface of the tool.