Dispersions containing a liquid vehicle (which can be aqueous, semi-aqueous or non-aqueous), organic or inorganic particles (or mixtures) that are insoluble in the liquid vehicle and a polymeric dispersant, preferably a structured polymeric dispersant, having one or more segments soluble in the liquid vehicle and one or more segments insoluble in the liquid vehicle, have improved stability when the insoluble segment(s) contains cross-linking groups which are cross-linked to itself or a cross-linking compound such as a polyfunctional monomer, oligomer or polymer to form an encapsulation network that entraps the particles which are particularly useful for paints or inks in coating and printing applications.