A paper coating composition is provided having a clay-containing pigment system, a binder, a polysaccharide thickener, and at least 0.005% to 2%, based upon the weight of the polymer, of a blocking agent that serves to prevent more than 25% of the polysaccharide thickener from being adsorbed onto the clay pigment surface. This coating is applied to raw paper for producing a high quality paper with smooth and substantially free of indentations surfaces for good ink to paper transfer.