Paper substrate containing a wetting agent and having improved print mottle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sizing composition that, when applied to paper substrate, creates a substrate, preferably suitable for inkjet printing, having increased print density, enhanced print mottle, as well as print sharpness, low HST, and/or image dry time, the substrate preferably having high brightness and reduced color-to-color bleed as well. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of reducing the HST of a paper substate by applying the sizing composition to at least one surface thereof. Further, the application relates to methods of making and using the sizing composition, as well as methods of making and using the paper containing the sizing composition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sizing composition, comprising
 at least one pigment   at least one binder;   at least one nitrogen containing organic species;   at least one inorganic salt; and   at least one wetting agent.   
     
     
         2 . The sizing composition according to  claim 1 , comprising
 at least one pigment   at least two binders;   at least one nitrogen containing organic species;   at least one inorganic salt; and   at least one wetting agent.   
     
     
         3 . The sizing composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least two binders are polyvinyl alcohol and starch. 
       The sizing composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol and starch are present at a starch/polyvinyl alcohol weight ratio of from 8/1 to 1/1. 
     
     
         4 . The sizing composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the total binder is present at an amount ranging at least 20 wt %, based upon the total weight of the solids in of the composition. 
     
     
         5 . The sizing composition according to  claim 4 , further comprising from 20 to 40 wt % based on the total weight of the solids in the composition of an optical brightening agent. 
     
     
         6 . The sizing composition according to  claim 4 , further comprising an optical brightening agent. 
     
     
         7 . The sizing composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the optical brightening agent is cationic. 
     
     
         8 . The sizing composition according to  claim 1 , comprising
 at least one pigment at an amount of at least 30 wt % based upon the total weight of the solids in of the composition   at least one binder at an amount of at least 20 wt % based upon the total weight of the solids in of the composition;   at least one nitrogen containing organic species at an amount ranging from 1 to 20 wt % based upon the total weight of the solids in of the composition;   at least one inorganic salt at an amount ranging from 0.5 to 5 wt % based upon the total weight of the solids in of the composition, and   at least one wetting agent at an amount ranging from 0.5 to 20 wt % based upon the total weight of the solids.   
     
     
         9 . The sizing composition according to  claim 9 , comprising
 at least two binders wherein the at least two binders are starch and polyvinyl alcohol at a weight ratio of from 8/1 to 1/1 starch/polyvinyl alcohol; and   an optical brightener.   
     
     
         10 . A paper substrate, comprising the sizing composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The paper substate according to  claim 11 , wherein the substrate has a print density of at least 1.0 and an HST of not more than 10 seconds. 
     
     
         12 . The paper substrate according to  claim 12 , wherein the substrate has a waterfastness of at least 95%. 
     
     
         13 . The paper substrate according to  claim 13 , wherein the substrate has at least two surfaces, each of said surfaces having a surface print mottle of less than 15.5. 
     
     
         14 . A paper substrate comprising the sizing composition according to  claim 4 . 
     
     
         15 . The paper substate according to  claim 15 , wherein the substrate has a print density of at least 1.0 and an HST of not more than 10 seconds. 
     
     
         16 . The paper substrate according to  claim 16 , wherein the substrate has a waterfastness of at least 95%. 
     
     
         17 . The paper substrate according to  claim 17 , wherein the substrate has at least two surfaces, each of said surfaces having a surface print mottle of less than 15.5. 
     
     
         18 . A paper substrate comprising the sizing composition according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
         19 . The paper substate according to  claim 19 , wherein the substrate has a print density of at least 1.0 and an HST of not more than 10 seconds. 
     
     
         20 . The paper substrate according to  claim 20 , wherein the substrate has a waterfastness of at least 95%. 
     
     
         21 . The paper substrate according to  claim 22 , wherein the substrate has at least two surfaces, each of said surfaces having a surface print mottle of less than 15.5. 
     
     
         22 . A paper substrate, comprising the sizing composition according to  claim 10  and having
 a print density of at least 1.0; 
 an HST of not more than 10 seconds; and 
 a waterfastness of at least 95%; wherein 
 the substrate has at least two surfaces, each of said surfaces having a surface print mottle of less than 15.5.