The instant disclosure relates to a method of making a dispersion of polymer binder-encapsulated silica pigments for coating an ink-jet recording substrate. The method includes mixing first components of the dispersion to form a mixture, the first components including binder polymer, treating agents and a vehicle selected from the group consisting of water, a water-miscible organic solvent, and combinations thereof; shear mixing silica pigment into the mixture; and after the silica pigment is added to the mixture, shear mixing the mixture at a higher temperature and an increased grinding rate compared to a temperature and grinding rate of the shear mixing of the silica pigment into the mixture.