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 an ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon a porous image - receiving layer comprising : particles having a primary particle size of from about 7 to about 40 nm in diameter which may be aggregated up to about 300 nm ; and water insoluble , cationic , polymeric particles comprising at least about 20 mole percent of a cationic mordant moiety ; c ) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition ; and d ) printing on the image - receiving layer using the ink jet ink composition in response to the digital data signals .