An ink jet media ink receptive topcoat composition of a number of constituent components including a binder comprised of polydextrose and/or indigestible polysaccharide or combination thereof, wherein a topcoat derived from the coating composition is printable with either pigment or dye composition ink jet printing inks. The invention also relates to ink jet media with a base support layer and a media coating composition, or ink receptive topcoat which includes a polydextrose and/or indigestible dextrin binder wherein the topcoat is printable with liquid ink jet inks. The invention results in improved print quality, significantly improved print color (Chroma) development, and a lower cost coating when compared to like media employing a coating containing polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinylpyrrolidone as a binder.