A thermal ink jet ink composition includes one or more volatile organic solvents, one or more humectants, one or more binder resins, one or more dyes, and one or both of a surfactant and a plasticizer. The one or more volatile organic solvents are selected from C1-C4 alcohols, C3-C6 ketones, C4-C8 ethers, C3-C6 esters, and mixtures thereof. The one or more humectants are present in an amount not more than 30% by weight of the ink jet ink composition. The ink jet ink composition optionally includes water up to 10% by weight of the ink jet ink composition.