Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet includes a substrate, an ink receiving layer, and a clay-containing layer between the paper substrate and the ink receiving layer. The clay-containing layer contains platelet clay particles having an average aspect ratio of at least 10:1, and an orientation such that at least 50% of the platelet clay particles have a major axis within 30° of parallel to the substrate. The sheet exhibits little or no cockle formation, even at high ink laydowns. A method of preparing the ink jet recording sheet and a method of printing using the ink jet recording sheet are also described.