Abstract: Ink-receiving print media products capable of producing high quality printed images which are light-fast, humid-fast, have low coalescence (graininess) levels, and are characterized by other beneficial attributes. The print media products have at least one ink-receiving layer supported by a substrate. The ink-receiving layer includes a binder blend designed to achieve the aforementioned goals, namely, gelatin, a poly(vinyl alcohol-polyethylene oxide) copolymer, and a poly((styrene)-(n-butyl acrylate)-(methyl methacrylate)-(2-(tert-butylamino) ethyl methacrylate)) copolymer. One or more optional pigments and/or additional binders can also be included within the ink-receiving layer. The ink-receiving layer may optionally be employed in combination with one or more additional material layers thereover or thereunder which can contain, for example, one or more pigments and/or binders.

Abstract: Ink-receiving print media products capable of producing high quality printed images which are light-fast, humid-fast, have low coalescence (graininess) levels, and are characterized by other beneficial attributes. The print media products have at least one ink-receiving layer supported by a substrate. The ink-receiving layer includes a binder blend designed to achieve the aforementioned goals, namely, gelatin, a poly(vinyl alcohol-polyethylene oxide) copolymer, and a poly((styrene)-(n-butyl acrylate)-(methyl methacrylate)-(2-(tert-butylamino) ethyl methacrylate)) copolymer. One or more optional pigments and/or additional binders can also be included within the ink-receiving layer. The ink-receiving layer may optionally be employed in combination with one or more additional material layers thereover or thereunder which can contain, for example, one or more pigments and/or binders.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to compositions and coated substrates wherein a hydrophobic backside coating layer can be implemented for use that mitigates ink transfer, surface damage, smudging, and sticking between stacked sheets in output trays of ink-jet ink printers. The backside coating can comprise hydrophobic beads suspended in a polymeric blend having a hydrophilic polymeric binder component and a hydrophobic polymeric binder component. Alternatively, the coating can comprise a hydrophobic binder blended with a natural wax. Either coating can be applied directly to the backside of a media substrate or on top of an existing hydrophilic layer that is typically applied for curl and sheet feed performance.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to compositions and coated substrates wherein a hydrophobic backside coating layer can be implemented for use that mitigates ink transfer, surface damage, smudging, and sticking between stacked sheets in output trays of ink-jet ink printers. The backside coating can comprise hydrophobic beads suspended in a polymeric blend having a hydrophilic polymeric binder component and a hydrophobic polymeric binder component. Alternatively, the coating can comprise a hydrophobic binder blended with a natural wax. Either coating can be applied directly to the backside of a media substrate or on top of an existing hydrophilic layer that is typically applied for curl and sheet feed performance.

Abstract: Ink-receiving media print media products having multi-functional capabilities including (A) minimal drying time; (B) improved gloss-control which allows the production of high-gloss or semi-gloss products as desired; and (C) the ability to generate high-definition and light-fast images. A first embodiment (high-gloss) employs a substrate (e.g. polyethylene-coated paper) having a porous medial layer thereon containing a pigment (e.g. silica) and a binder (e.g. polyvinyl alcohol). A non-porous top layer is placed on the medial layer which optimally consists entirely of one or more binders (excluding pigments, etc.) A second embodiment (semi-gloss) employs a comparable substrate and medial layer with a top layer similar to that described above, although at least one pigment (e.g. silica) is employed therein at a level not exceeding about 10% by weight. Both products provide the foregoing benefits and others.

Abstract: Ink-receiving print media products having multiple capabilities including (A) minimal drying time; (B) improved smear-fastness; (C) the ability to generate high-definition images with desirable gloss characteristics and gloss-uniformity; and (D) excellent compatibility between the ink materials being delivered and the media products along with other related benefits including the control of ink-coalescence. The print media products of interest have at least one ink-receiving layer on a substrate (e.g. polyethylene-coated paper), with the ink-receiving layer including a poly(vinyl alcohol-ethylene oxide) copolymer as a special multi-functional ingredient designed to produce the foregoing benefits. The copolymer may be employed alone or combined with one or more other ingredients in the ink-receiving layer including pigment(s), supplemental binder(s), and the like in order to fabricate an effective media product ideally suited for inkjet image generation using a wide variety of inks.

Abstract: The present method is drawn to the creation of fast-drying, photo-quality images with an ink-jet inks. The method comprises the steps of providing a inorganic porous media substrate, providing an aqueous ink-jet ink comprising an ink vehicle and an effective amount of a metallized dye having at least one heterocyclic nitrogen ring and an azo bond wherein the heterocyclic nitrogen is chelated or complexed to a transition metal, and jetting the aqueous ink-jet ink onto the inorganic porous media substrate.

Abstract: Ink-receiving print media products having multiple capabilities including (A) minimal drying time; (B) improved smear-fastness; (C) the ability to generate high-definition images with desirable gloss characteristics and gloss-uniformity; and (D) excellent compatibility between the ink materials being delivered and the media products along with other related benefits including the control of ink-coalescence. The print media products of interest have at least one ink-receiving layer on a substrate (e.g. polyethylene-coated paper), with the ink-receiving layer including a poly(vinyl alcohol-ethylene oxide) copolymer as a special multi-functional ingredient designed to produce the foregoing benefits. The copolymer may be employed alone or combined with one or more other ingredients in the ink-receiving layer including pigment(s), supplemental binder(s), and the like in order to fabricate an effective media product ideally suited for inkjet image generation using a wide variety of inks.

Abstract: A process is provided that allows the production of multi-layer coatings in which one or more topcoats can be applied to a porous basecoat to produce a uniform and defect-free coating layer. Specifically, a process is provided in which a liquid is applied to the basecoat prior to topcoating such that the air in the basecoat is removed prior to topcoating. This process can occur in-line with a simple apparatus described herein. An added benefit of this method is that it also allows the possibility of adding functionality or performing chemistry to a basecoat after the basecoat is dried and before the topcoat is applied in a single process. For example, the wetting fluid may contain, but is not limited to, surfactants, pH modifiers, polymers, crosslinkers, pigments, and/or dye stabilizers.

Abstract: Ink-receiving print media products having multiple capabilities including (A) minimal drying time; (B) improved smear-fastness; (C) the ability to generate high-definition images with desirable gloss characteristics and gloss-uniformity; and (D) excellent compatibility between the ink materials being delivered and the media products along with other related benefits including the control of ink-coalescence. The print media products of interest have at least one ink-receiving layer on a substrate (e.g. polyethylene-coated paper), with the ink-receiving layer including a poly(vinyl alcohol-ethylene oxide) copolymer as a special multi-functional ingredient designed to produce the foregoing benefits. The copolymer may be employed alone or combined with one or more other ingredients in the ink-receiving layer including pigment(s), supplemental binder(s), and the like in order to fabricate an effective media product ideally suited for inkjet image generation using a wide variety of inks.

Abstract: A process is provided that allows the production of multi-layer coatings in which one or more topcoats can be applied to a porous basecoat to produce a uniform and defect-free coating layer. Specifically, a process is provided in which a liquid is applied to the basecoat prior to topcoating such that the air in the basecoat is removed prior to topcoating. This process can occur in-line with a simple apparatus described herein. An added benefit of this method is that it also allows the possibility of adding functionality or performing chemistry to a basecoat after the basecoat is dried and before the topcoat is applied in a single process. For example, the wetting fluid may contain, but is not limited to, surfactants, pH modifiers, polymers, crosslinkers, pigments, and/or dye stabilizers.

Abstract: At least one of the following compounds is included on a surface layer of a print medium and in an inkjet ink formulation to be printed thereon: potassium iodide, sodium iodide, sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, and sodium thiocyanate. The addition of at least one of these compounds to both the print medium and the inkjet ink can improve light fastness on the order of eight to thirteen times or more on porous glossy media. These additives are particularly effective with water-soluble dyes, including such dyes as Reactive Black 31 (Pacified) (RB31), Direct Blue 199 (DB199), Magenta 377 (M377), and Direct Yellow 132 (DY132).

Abstract: At least one of the following compounds is applied as a re-wet solution to media: potassium iodide, sodium iodide, sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, and sodium thiocyanate. The addition of at least one of these compounds to the re-wet solution can improve light fastness on the order of eight to thirteen times or more on porous glossy media. These additives are particularly effective with water-soluble dyes, including dyes such as Reactive Black 31 (Pacified) (RB31), Direct Blue 199 (DB199), Magenta 377 (M377), and Direct Yellow 132 (DY132).