an apparatus and method of thermal inkjet printing is provided . the apparatus is adapted to be used with an inkjet ink including a pigment , an aqueous vehicle , and a sufficient amount of polymeric binder and / or humectant to wet and directly adhere to non - porous , uncoated , untreated , hydrophobic media . the ink is adapted to be ejected through a thermal inkjet head with consistent image quality and no kogation . the concentration of binder and / or humectant raises the viscosity of the ink at room temperature . as such , the apparatus is adapted to lower the viscosity of the ink prior to the ink being ejected through the thermal inkjet printhead . additionally , the apparatus is adapted to prepare the media for receiving the ink , and dry the ink after the ink is deposited on the media . this can be accomplished by providing heat to the media and / or the ink during the printing process .