A core/shell particle is provided, comprising: a water-absorbent, dye-fixing polymeric core, comprising: (a) a multivalent cation and a polymerization product of a monoethylenically unsaturated carbonyl-group containing monomer; (b) a nitrogen-containing polymer; or (c) a combination of (a) and (b); and a water-insoluble, porous polymeric shell, surrounding all or a portion of said core. A paper sizing or coating composition which incorporates the core/shell particles is provided. Recording sheets which include the composition, methods of making the composition and recording sheets, and methods for making an image are provided.