Abstract: A coating for a substrate is formed by milling cationic pigment particles in the presence of a water-soluble polymer, where the water-soluble polymer acts as a binder and a dispersant for the cationic pigment particles.

Abstract: A method of forming a print medium comprising coating at least one side of a base substrate with anionically-charged nano-milled calcium carbonate that has been mixed with a cationic conversion agent to convert the coating to a cationically-charged coating, where a primary size of particles of the nano-milled calcium carbonate is 10-20 nm or smaller.

Abstract: A method for forming a printable coating includes providing a calcium carbonate, combining a dispersant with the calcium carbonate, nanomilling the calcium carbonate and the dispersant to inhibit re-floccing of the nanomilled calcium carbonate, and combining the mixture with a binder at alkaline pH. According to one exemplary embodiment, the coating may be applied to one or more sides of a media substrate.

Abstract: An ink receiving substrate includes a base substrate, and a microporous coating formed on the base substrate, wherein the microporous coating includes a high surface area fumed alumina and a high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder.

Abstract: The various embodiments involve marking fluid receptors, methods of their manufacture and use, and media produced using such receptors. Marking fluid receptive coatings of the various embodiments utilize calcium carbonate having controlled sizing of primary particles and their agglomeration.

Abstract: Mutilayer media is being developed which has inner ink-receiving micro-porous layer and an outer sealable porous surface coat, or topcoat. Ink printed on the media passes through the topcoat, and is absorbed by, or reacts with the inner ink-receiving layer. A thermal printhead is attached downstream of the print zone so that it passes over the area that was previously printed, and heats the topcoat. Where the topcoat is heated, the pores are closed and the closed pores provide a protective layer between the inner ink-receiving layer and the environment.

Abstract: A process is provided that allows the production of an ink-jet recording media by applying a sealable topcoat to an ink-receptive coating on a substrate. A porous ink-receptive coating including a plurality of pores is applied to a surface of the substrate. An anionic porous topcoat consisting essentially of polymer particles having a Tg in the range of 60° to 100° C. and a size less than 250 nanometers is applied on the porous ink-receptive coating. The topcoat is then dried at an elevated temperature and an image is printed on the topcoat of the ink-jet recording media using a conventional ink-jet printer. The topcoat is then heated until it becomes fused by using a heating device. The media formed provides the advantages of improved air fade resistance, good image quality and high gloss.

Abstract: A print medium having a heat-sealable layer supported by an ink receiving layer, the heat-sealable layer having a first component and a second component. The first component and the second component have different particle sizes and different glass transition temperatures. A method of producing the print medium is also disclosed. The print medium is used to produce a photographic-quality image by applying inkjet ink to the print medium. The heat-sealable layer of the print medium is sealed by exposing the layer to a temperature above the glass transition temperatures of the two components. An inkjet printer used to apply inkjet ink to the print medium may include a radiant heater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a print medium with improved resistance to airfade. The print medium is coated with a high molecular weight additive having low volatility. The high molecular weight additive is a monomeric or oligomeric compound that has a molecular weight of greater than approximately 1000. The high molecular weight additive is a hindered amine light stabilizer or a fixative. The present invention also relates to a method of producing a print medium with improved airfastness. The method comprises coating a print medium with a high molecular weight additive having low volatility. An image is then printed on the coated print medium and subjected to at least one atmospheric gas. The airfastness of the printed image is measured and compared to the airfastness of an image printed on an uncoated print medium.

Abstract: A method of producing a print medium to reduce problems associated with the gradual dye-fade and color-shift of inks over time, and to provide improved resistance to physical handling is provided Specifically, a method can comprise steps of coating a media substrate with a porous coating composition of semi-metal oxide or metal oxide particulates to form a porous ink receiving layer, coating the porous ink-receiving layer with a latex layer configured to allow an ink-jet ink to be received at the porous ink-receiving layer, printing ink-jet ink on at least a portion of the latex layer to form ink-associated latex regions exclusive of non-printed latex regions, and heating the latex layer. The ink-jet ink can include an ink vehicle, a colorant, and a film promoting additive that lowers the film forming temperature of the latex particulates in the ink-associated latex regions. Upon heating, the ink-associated latex regions form a continuous film, and non-printed latex regions do not form a continuous film.

Abstract: Print media and systems for preparing a fused ink-jet image are disclosed. One exemplary print medium, among others, includes a substrate, a porous ink-receiving layer disposed on the substrate, and a porous surface layer disposed on the porous ink-receiving layer. The porous surface layer includes polymer particles and a non-ionic stabilizing surfactant.

Abstract: A method and coating for printing a substantially permanent and smudge, water, and air fade resistant image on recording media is herein disclosed. The method involves the steps of formulating the coating, applying the coating to the recording media, drying the coating, forming an image on the coated recording media, drying the image on the recording media to remove the solvents from the colorants used to form the image, and fusing the coating to protective film over the recording media that substantially encapsulates the colorants used to print the image, thereby rendering the image substantially smudge, water, and air fade resistant. The coating includes a quantity of fusible particles admixed with a binder. In one formulation, the coating also includes a mordant. The coating itself is capable of absorbing and retaining colorants applied thereto and may therefore be used on absorbent or non-absorbent recording media.

Abstract: Fusible print media, systems for preparing a fused ink-jet image, and methods of preparing a fused ink-jet image, are provided. One exemplary fusible print medium, among others, includes a substrate and an ink-receiving layer disposed on the substrate. The ink-receiving layer includes a first layer having ultrafine polymer particles and a second layer having hollow beads.

Abstract: A fusible print medium for use in inkjet printing. The fusible print medium includes a substrate and a fusible layer, the fusible layer comprising at least one organic pigment and at least one solid plasticizer. A method of producing the fusible print medium and a method of producing a photographic quality image are also disclosed.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include fusible print media, methods of making fusible print media, and systems for preparing a fused ink-jet image. One exemplary embodiment of the fusible print medium, among others, includes a substrate and an ink-receiving layer disposed on the substrate. The ink-receiving layer includes a plurality of hollow polymer beads having substantially the same diameter.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include fusible print media, methods of making fusible print media, and systems for preparing a fused ink-jet image. One exemplary embodiment of the fusible print medium, among others, includes a substrate and an ink-receiving layer disposed on the substrate. The ink-receiving layer includes a plurality of hollow polymer beads having substantially the same diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a print medium with improved resistance to airfade. The print medium is coated with a high molecular weight additive having low volatility. The high molecular weight additive is a monomeric or oligomeric compound that has a molecular weight of greater than approximately 1000. The high molecular weight additive is a hindered amine light stabilizer or a fixative. The present invention also relates to a method of producing a print medium with improved airfastness. The method comprises coating a print medium with a high molecular weight additive having low volatility. An image is then printed on the coated print medium and subjected to at least one atmospheric gas. The airfastness of the printed image is measured and compared to the airfastness of an image printed on an uncoated print medium.

Abstract: A system for forming a microporous ink receptive coating includes a fusible latex configured to coat a substrate, wherein the fusible latex includes a hard core material and a soft shell material, wherein the latex exhibits self-adhesive properties at a system operation temperature.

Abstract: A print medium having a heat-sealable layer comprised of a first component and a second component. The first component and the second component have different particle sizes and different glass transition temperatures. A method of producing the print medium is also disclosed. The print medium is used to produce a photographic-quality image by applying inkjet ink to the print medium. The heat-sealable layer of the print medium is sealed by exposing the layer to a temperature above the glass transition temperatures of the two components. An inkjet printer used to apply inkjet ink to the print medium may include a radiant heater.

Abstract: A process is provided that allows the production of an ink-jet recording media by applying a sealable topcoat to an ink-receptive coating on a substrate. A porous ink-receptive coating comprising a plurality of pores is applied to a surface of the substrate. An anionic porous topcoat comprising polymer particles having a Tg in the range of 60° to 100° C. and a size less than 250 nanometers is applied on the porous ink-receptive coating. The topcoat is then dried at an elevated temperature and an image is printed on the topcoat of the ink-jet recording media using a conventional ink-jet printer. The topcoat is then heated until it becomes fused by using a heating device. The media formed provides the advantages of improved air fade resistance, good image quality and high gloss.