use electrical tape.. i have done it hundreds of times at bike shops when the strips were (always)out of stock and for weird sizes. use a couple wraps of it, works better then the original thin rubber
You do not really say but I assume this wheel is spoke and you are referring to area were spoke nipples are. If this is case I would get it from the people that made wheel if that was my only choice. If this is what your are referring too tape may work on a rusty lawn mower tire but to buy a set of wheels and skimp on the band is crazy.