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 an image - receptive layer capable of accepting an ink jet image , the layer comprising an open - pore membrane of a mixture of a water - insoluble polymer , a water - absorbent polymer and a mordant , the mixture containing at least about 25 % by weight of the water - absorbent polymer , at least about 7 % by weight of the mordant , and the balance being the water - insoluble polymer , the mordant comprising a polymer or copolymer containing a quatemized nitrogen moiety ; 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 .