Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a media sheet, comprising a substrate and a porous ink-receiving layer deposited on the substrate. The porous ink-receiving layer can comprise inorganic metal or semi-metal oxide particulates bound by a polymeric binder, and the porous ink-receiving layer can further include an effective amount of a sulfur-containing compound that interacts with ozone upon exposure thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing permanent ink-jet images are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a media substrate coated with a porous media coating, wherein the porous media coating having inorganic porous particulates, and wherein at least a portion of the inorganic porous particulates have a first reactive group covalently attached thereto. The system further includes an ink-jet ink containing a dye, wherein the dye includes a second reactive group, and wherein the first reactive group and the second reactive group are configured to react with one another upon contact to form a covalent bond.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording media is provided with a sealable coating that is applied to a non-permeable substrate to improve fade resistance, dry time and water resistance. The ink-jet recording media comprises: (a) a non-permeable substrate; (b) a porous basecoat disposed on a surface of the non-permeable substrate, the basecoat comprising at least one pigment, at least one binder, and, optionally, at least one mordant, and adapted to receive a colorant from an ink comprising at least one colorant and a liquid vehicle containing at least one polar solvent; and (c) a porous topcoat. Either (1) the porous basecoat further comprises a solvent-swellable polymer, adapted to swell when contacted by at least one polar solvent of the liquid vehicle, and the porous topcoat is either optional or comprises at least one pigment and at least one binder, or (2) the porous topcoat comprises the solvent-swellable polymer and at least one binder.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a media sheet, comprising a substrate and a porous ink-receiving layer deposited on the substrate. The porous ink-receiving layer can comprise inorganic metal or semi-metal oxide particulates bound by a polymeric binder, and the porous ink-receiving layer can further include an effective amount of a sulfur-containing compound that interacts with ozone upon exposure thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a media sheet, comprising a substrate and a porous ink-receiving layer deposited on the substrate. The porous ink-receiving layer can comprise inorganic metal or semi-metal oxide particulates bound by a polymeric binder, and the porous ink-receiving layer can further include an effective amount of a sulfur-containing compound that interacts with ozone upon exposure thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing permanent ink-jet images are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a media substrate coated with a porous media coating, wherein the porous media coating comprises inorganic porous particulates, and wherein at least a portion of the inorganic porous particulates have a first reactive group covalently attached thereto. The system further includes an ink-jet ink containing a dye, wherein the dye comprises a second reactive group, and wherein the first reactive group and the second reactive group are configured to react with one another upon contact to form a covalent bond.

Abstract: A fusible print medium having a photobase layer, a vehicle sink layer, and a colorant-receiving layer. The colorant-receiving layer includes core-shell polymer particles that have a hydrophilic shell and a fusible hydrophobic core. Upon exposure to a sufficient heat, the colorant-receiving layer inverts from a porous, hydrophilic surface into a continuous layer that encapsulates colorant in hydrophilic domains. A method of forming the fusible print medium and producing a photographic quality image is also disclosed.

Abstract: A media sheet which can be used with a new system and method of the present invention is provided. Specifically, a media sheet can comprise a substrate, a porous dye-receiving layer deposited on the substrate, and a porous ionic layer deposited on the porous dye-receiving layer. Thus, when the ink-jet ink is printed onto the media sheet, ink-jet ink passes substantially through the porous ionic layer and onto the porous dye-receiving layer forming an ink-jet ink-containing media sheet. A fluid sealant composition having an opposite polarity than the ionically-charged surfaces can then be applied. Upon application of the fluid sealant to the ink-jet ink-containing media sheet, an interpolymer complex is formed sealing the ink-jet ink in the media sheet.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording media is provided with a sealable coating that is applied to a non-permeable substrate to improve fade resistance, dry time and water resistance. The ink-jet recording media comprises: (a) a non-permeable substrate; (b) a porous basecoat disposed on a surface of the non-permeable substrate, the basecoat comprising at least one pigment, at least one binder, and, optionally, at least one mordant, and adapted to receive a colorant from an ink comprising at least one colorant and a liquid vehicle containing at least one polar solvent; and (c) a porous topcoat. Either (1) the porous basecoat further comprises a solvent-swellable polymer, adapted to swell when contacted by at least one polar solvent of the liquid vehicle, and the porous topcoat is either optional or comprises at least one pigment and at least one binder, or (2) the porous topcoat comprises the solvent-swellable polymer and at least one binder.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to systems and methods for reducing air fade of ink-jet inks, particularly with respect to dye-based ink-jet inks printed on porous media. Specifically, a method of printing an image on porous media with increased air fade resistance can include the steps of (a) providing an ink-jet ink, wherein the ink-jet ink includes a dye and a water-soluble or water dispersable copolymer in a vehicle carrier; (b) providing a porous media substrate having an inorganic porous media coating, wherein the inorganic porous media coating provides voids for the ink-jet ink to fill; and (c) ink-jetting the ink-jet ink onto the porous media substrate, thereby providing an image having increased air fade resistance.

Abstract: A media sheet which can be used with a new system and method of the present invention is provided. Specifically, a media sheet can comprise a substrate, a porous dye-receiving layer deposited on the substrate, and a porous ionic layer deposited on the porous dye-receiving layer. Thus, when the ink-jet ink is printed onto the media sheet, ink-jet ink passes substantially through the porous ionic layer and onto the porous dye-receiving layer forming an ink-jet ink-containing media sheet. A fluid sealant composition having an opposite polarity than the ionically-charged surfaces can then be applied. Upon application of the fluid sealant to the ink-jet ink-containing media sheet, an interpolymer complex is formed sealing the ink-jet ink in the media sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to systems and methods for reducing air fade of ink-jet inks, particularly with respect to dye-based ink-jet inks printed on porous media. Specifically, a method of printing an image on porous media with increased air fade resistance can comprise the steps of (a) providing an ink-jet ink, wherein the ink-jet ink comprises a dye and a water-soluble or water dispersable copolymer in a vehicle carrier; (b) providing a porous media substrate having an inorganic porous media coating, wherein the inorganic porous media coating provides voids for the ink-jet ink to fill; and (c) ink-jetting the ink-jet ink onto the porous media substrate, thereby providing an image having increased air fade resistance.

Abstract: A printing fluid composition with an additive which functions as a compatibilizer between the hydrophilic material coating a media surface and the hydrophobic thermal transfer overcoat (TTO) material used in a clear protective TTO overcoat and a method of using such an printing fluid composition to promote adhesion of such TTO material and a digitally printed medium.

Abstract: A printing fluid composition with an additive which functions as a compatibilizer between the hydrophilic material coating a media surface and the hydrophobic thermal transfer overcoat (TTO) material used in a clear protective TTO overcoat and a method of using such an printing fluid composition to promote adhesion of such TTO material and a digitally printed medium.

Abstract: An improved polyacrylate thickener and a method for making same are provided. The polyacrylate thickener is made using a monomer blend containing ethyl acrylate. In one embodiment the ethyl acrylate is polymerized and then hydrolyzed using a metal hydroxide. The resulting thickener contains unhydrolyzed polyacrylates, metal polyacrylates and ethanol. The final product, which is nontoxic and nonhazardous, can then be added to other compositions, such as textile coatings, as a viscosity enhancer.

Abstract: An improved polyacrylate thickener and a method for making same are provided. The polyacrylate thickener is made using a monomer blend containing ethyl acrylate. In one embodiment the ethyl acrylate is polymerized and then hydrolyzed using a metal hydroxide. The resulting thickener contains unhydrolyzed polyacrylates, metal polyacrylates and ethanol. The final product, which is nontoxic and nonhazardous, can then be added to other compositions, such as textile coatings, as a viscosity enhancer.