there is described a recording medium and related ink jet printing method which comprises the steps of : 1 ) printing onto a receiving medium which comprises a substrate coated with at least one ink receiving layer comprising polymeric particles having film forming temperatures between 60 ° to 140 ° c . and a binder , and 2 ) heating the printed image to form a stable image - protecting coating . preferably the printed image is heated by passing through a laminator . alternatively the printed image is heated by passing through a laminator in conjunction with a second , inert releasing sheet which is held against the top surface of the print material . the second sheet may be used to produce a particular appearance to the final image such as high gloss or a security pattern . the receiving layers of the invention provide bright images after printing and fusing which show a high level of scratch and rub resistance even when wet .