Print media products for generating high quality visual images and methods for producing the same

Ink-receiving print media products having multiple capabilities including (A) minimal drying time; (B) improved smear-fastness; (C) the ability to generate high-definition images with desirable gloss characteristics and gloss-uniformity; and (D) excellent compatibility between the ink materials being delivered and the media products along with other related benefits including the control of ink-coalescence. The print media products of interest have at least one ink-receiving layer on a substrate (e.g. polyethylene-coated paper), with the ink-receiving layer including a poly(vinyl alcohol-ethylene oxide) copolymer as a special multi-functional ingredient designed to produce the foregoing benefits. The copolymer may be employed alone or combined with one or more other ingredients in the ink-receiving layer including pigment(s), supplemental binder(s), and the like in order to fabricate an effective media product ideally suited for inkjet image generation using a wide variety of inks.