An ink jet recording element having a substrate having thereon an image-receiving layer of a filler and coated particles of a polymeric hard core-polymeric soft shell, the Tg of the polymeric hard core material being greater than about 60° C., the Tg of the polymeric soft shell material being less than about 100° C., and the filler being present in the image-receiving layer in an amount of from about 50 to about 95% by weight, the substrate being paper, resin-coated paper, synthetic paper, impregnated paper, cellulose acetate or a polyester film.