an ink jet printing method having the steps of : a ) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals ; b ) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image - receiving layer of a polymeric network formed by a chemical reaction between a wet strength polymer , amino - functionalized inorganic particles and a hydrophilic polymer other than a wet - strength polymer ; c ) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition ; and d ) printing on the ink jet recording element using the ink jet ink in response to the digital data signals .