Disclosed are ink jet ink compositions suitable for use in thermal ink jet printers. The ink jet ink compositions contain one or more volatile organic solvents, one or more humectants, one or more binder resins, and one or more colorants. The ink jet ink compositions may also contain additives such as a plasticizer and/or a surfactant. Embodiments of the ink jet ink compositions have short dry times, good adhesion to a variety of substrates, and/or long decap times.