Abstract: Substrates having gel ink receptive surfaces as well as an economical and versatile method for their production is provided. The substrates are comprised of media having a dark gel ink writeable surface that is comprised of dark ink disposed upon lighter substrates, as provided by the methods detailed herein. The teachings of the present invention provide users with methodologies that render various substrates, such as paper, particularly amenable to the deposition and display of indicia comprised of gel ink.