Abstract: A method and related compositions for preparing a substrate for printing are described. The invention comprises coating a non-paper substrate with an adherent base coat and a hydrophilic top coat. The base coat adheres to the substrate and the top coat, which is applied to the base coat and adheres to it, provides an ink receptive surface on which ink pigment can be deposited. A base coating composition comprises a type-A gelatin and an acrylic polymer. A top coating composition comprises a type-A or type-B gelatin and a hydrophilic organic polymer. A base- and top-coated substrate of the invention is particularly suited for use with ink-jet printers that employ aqueous-based inks. Printing substrates include such materials as canvas, leather, polymeric films and sheets, and the like.