Abstract: An ink-jet media sheet imparting superior image quality and permanence is disclosed. Such a sheet may comprise a substrate consecutively coated with a porous ink-absorbing layer and a porous ink-receiving layer, where the specific surface area of the particulates of the ink-absorbing layer is less than that of the ink-receiving layer, e.g., the particulates are generally smaller in the ink-receiving layer. The porous coating layers can comprise semi-metal or metal oxide particulates and may further include other surface treatment or reactive groups having functional moieties to promote fixing and localizing printed colorants. Images printed on these media sheets exhibit good fastness to water, ozone, and humidity as well as improved color gamut and black intensity.