An ink preferably used in piezoelectric ink jet devices includes an ink
vehicle that includes at least one curable monomer, at least one
polymerizable organic gelator, at least one initiator, at least one
colorant and optionally at least one low molecular mass non-reactive
organic gelator and/or at least one thermal solvent. The use of the
curable gelator enables the ink to form a gel state having a viscosity of
at least 10.sup.2.5 cps at very low temperatures of about 30.degree. C.
to about 50.degree. C. The ink may thus be jetted at low temperatures of
about 50.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C. The ink is heated to a first
temperature above the gel point of the ink, jetted onto a surface
maintained at a second temperature at which the ink forms a gel state,
and when on the image receiving substrate, is exposed to radiation energy
to polymerize the polymerizable components of the ink.