Print media products for generating high quality, water-fast images and methods for making the same

摘要

Ink-receiving print media products having multiple capabilities including (A) minimal drying time; (B) improved smear-fastness; (C) a high level of water-fastness; (D) the ability to generate high-definition images; and (E) excellent ink compatibility. The media products have at least one ink-receiving layer on a substrate (e.g. paper pre-coated with one or more binders and/or pigments). The ink-receiving layer includes a pigment (boehmite, pseudo-boehmite, or mixtures thereof) optimally combined with a special binder blend [polyvinyl alcohol, a poly(vinyl acetate-ethylene) copolymer, and a poly(vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl acetate) copolymer]. Also included is a special dye fixative (namely, a cationic emulsion polymer) which provides enhanced water-fastness. This fixative is of a particular type (a quaternary amine) that also allows high pigment levels to be employed (at least about 65% by weight) which further promotes the foregoing benefits.