Ink-jet recording medium for dye-or pigment-based ink-jet inks

Abstract

The present invention is drawn to a method of preparing a porous media substrate, comprising preparing a coating composition including metal or semi-metal oxide particulates, a polymeric binder, and at least one water soluble coating formulation additive; applying the coating composition to a media substrate to form an ink-receiving layer having a porous surface, wherein at least a portion of the water soluble coating formulation additive remains unreacted at the ink-receiving layer; and removing at least a portion of the water soluble coating formulation additive from the ink-receiving layer.

1 . A method of preparing a porous media substrate, comprising: 
 preparing a coating composition including metal or semi-metal oxide particulates, a polymeric binder, and at least one water soluble coating formulation additive;    applying the coating composition to a media substrate to form an ink-receiving layer having a porous surface, wherein at least a portion of the water soluble coating formulation additive remains unreacted at the ink-receiving layer; and    removing at least a portion of the water soluble coating formulation additive from the ink-receiving layer.    
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein metal or semi-metal oxide is silica.  
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein metal or semi-metal oxide is alumina.  
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the binder includes a member selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein water soluble coating formulation additive includes a member selected from the group consisting of ionic mordants, ionic multivalent ions, ionic organosilane reagents, acidic components, crosslinking agents, organic salts, inorganic salts, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       6 . A method as in  claim 5 , wherein the water soluble coating formulation additive includes an ionic multivalent ion, said ionic multivalent ion including aluminum chlorohydrate.  
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 5 , wherein the water soluble coating formulation additive includes an ionic organosilane reagent, said ionic organosilane reagent including an amine moiety.  
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 5 , wherein the water soluble coating formulation additive includes an acidic component, said acidic component including an acidic crosslinking agent.  
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein the acidic crosslinking agent is boric acid.  
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the removing step is by washing the porous surface with an aqueous solution.  
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the aqueous solution is deionized water.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the aqueous solution is treated water.  
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein the treated water is soft water.  
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the aqueous solution includes an air fade additive configured to improve air fade resistance of an image printed on the porous media substrate.  
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein the air fade additive is selected from the group consisting of hindered amines, thio compounds, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the aqueous solution includes from about 0.1 wt % to about 1.0 wt % of a buffer.  
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the washing step is carried out at from about 0° C. to about 90° C.  
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein the washing step is carried out at from about 30° C. to about 50° C.  
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the porous surface has a pH from about 4 to about 7.5.  
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the porous surface has a pH from about 5 to about 6.  
   
   
       21 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein, after the removing step, the porous surface is subsequently coated with a second coating that is substantially devoid water soluble coating formulation additive.  
   
   
       22 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the media substrate includes an inorganic porous media precoat, and wherein the step of applying the coating composition to the media substrate is by overcoating the precoat.  
   
   
       23 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising a step of drying the porous surface after the applying step and before the removing step.  
   
   
       24 . A media sheet, comprising: 
 a media substrate;    a coating composition including metal or semi-metal oxide particulates, a polymeric binder, and at least one water soluble coating formulation additive applied to the media substrate, wherein the water soluble coating formulation additive enhances at least one coating preparation, coating application, or media performance property of the media sheet, and wherein excess amounts of the water soluble coating formulation additive have been removed after the coating composition is applied to the media substrate.    
   
   
       25 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , wherein the media substrate is selected from the group consisting of paper, overhead projector plastic, coated paper, fabric, art paper, water color paper, and photobase.  
   
   
       26 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , wherein the property that is enhanced is gloss uniformity upon printing ink on the media sheet.  
   
   
       27 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , wherein the property that is enhanced is color gamut upon printing ink on the media sheet.  
   
   
       28 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , wherein the property that is enhanced is humid bleed reduction upon printing ink on the media sheet.  
   
   
       29 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , wherein the property that is enhanced is reduced coating composition cracking upon application to the media substrate and drying.  
   
   
       30 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , wherein the property that is enhanced is ink-receiving capacity upon printing ink on the media sheet.  
   
   
       31 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , wherein metal or semi-metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       32 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , wherein the binder includes a member selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       33 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , wherein the water soluble coating formulation additive includes a member selected from the group consisting of ionic mordants, ionic multivalent ions, ionic organosilane reagents, acidic components, organic salts, inorganic salts, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       34 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , wherein the excess amounts of the water soluble coating formulation additive are removed by washing.  
   
   
       35 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , further including an air fade additive in the coating composition applied to the media substrate.  
   
   
       36 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , wherein the porous surface has a pH from about 4 to about 7.5.  
   
   
       37 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , further including a second coating composition applied to the coating composition, said second coating composition being substantially devoid of any water soluble coating formulation additive.  
   
   
       38 . A media sheet as in  claim 24 , further including an inorganic porous media precoat applied between the media substrate and the coating composition.