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 substrate having thereon : i ) a subbing layer of a polymeric binder and a borate or a borate derivative , the borate or borate derivative being present in an amount of from up to about 3 g / m 2 , and the weight ratio of the polymeric binder to the borate or borate derivative is from about 0 . 2 : 1 to about 3 : 1 ; and ii ) an image - receiving layer of inorganic particles and a cross - linkable polymer containing hydroxyl groups , the cross - linkable polymer being present in an amount of less than about 50 g / m 2 , and the weight ratio of the cross - linkable polymer to the inorganic particles is from about 5 : 95 to about 30 : 70 ; c ) loading the printer with an inkjet ink composition ; and d ) printing on the image - receiving layer using the ink jet ink in response to the digital data signals .