an ink jet printing method , comprising the steps of : a ) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals ; b ) loading the printer with ink - receptive elements comprising a support having thereon an image - receiving layer comprising a mixture of an anionic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer ; c ) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition comprising water , a humectant , and a delocalized cationic azo dye derived from the quaternization of a nitrogen heterocyclic azo dye ; and d ) printing on the image - receiving layer using the ink jet ink in response to the digital data signals .