Abstract: The present invention provides a high gloss ink jet receiving medium with fast ink dry time, good dye fade resistance, good dimensional stability, and good durability. The coating comprises a polypeptide such as gelatin or modified gelatin. One of the following two types of plasticizers is also incorporated into the coating to reduce the curl of the coated sheets at low humidity: a) 2-Pyrrolidone and its derivatives such as hydroxyethyl pyrrolidone and N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone, and b) urea and its derivatives such as imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, 2-hydroxyethylethylene urea, and ethylene urea. A polyurethane dispersion is incorporated into the coating to increase the flexibility of the coating at low humidity and to reduce the tack of the coating at high humidity. The polymers can be crosslinked with one or a combination of crosslinkers such as trivalent metal ions, polyfunctional aziridine, and polyamide-epichlorohydrin resin.