Photographic type base papers have certain quality advantages in providing superior color intensity and resolution as a substrate for colored thermal ribbon transfer and ink jet imaging. The physical and chemical properties of photographic base papers are discussed. Baryta coating as a functional ink jet receiving layer is demonstrated. The chemical interaction between substrate and ink jet dye is discussed. Particular attention is paid toward providing descriptions of tests that are useful for development of high-intensity ink jet papers as well as for the optimization of the printer toward a desired image quality. -- AATA