an ink jet 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 ink jet recording elements comprising a support having thereon , in the order recited , at least one base layer comprising a hydrophilic or porous material and a porous top layer capable of either retaining or transporting an ink image , the porous top layer comprising a polymeric binder and thermally - compliant core - shell particles , the particle - to - binder ratio being between about 95 : 5 and 50 : 50 , and wherein each the thermally - compliant core - shell particle has : i ) a shell of inorganic colloidal particles , and ii ) a core of a thermoplastic polymer , the particles having a particle size between about 0 . 5 μm and about 10 μm , the polymeric core having a softening point of greater than about 50 ° c ., and the weight ratio of the shell of the inorganic colloidal particles to the thermoplastic core being from about 1 : 5 to about 1 : 99 ; c ) loading the printer with an inkjet ink composition ; and d ) printing on the ink jet recording element using the ink jet ink in response to the digital data signals .