The effect of water-soluble anionic binders and a modified cationic-precipitated calcium carbonate layerby-layer structure on dye ink spreading and absorption has been studied. The multilayered coating was alternately spray-coated onto the substrate in order to determine dye interdiffusion and specific interaction including solvent absorption behavior in the nano- and microporous layers. The amount of the hydrophilic binder in the top coating was varied in order to adjust the porosity and to determine the effect of electrostatic charge interaction and to adjust dye fixation. Cationic nano- and microporous coatings and particle assemblies were created by spray-coating with cationic calcium carbonate precipitated in the presence of PDADMAC. The deposition of dye on the various coatings revealed that a small amount of anionic binder in the top coating favoured the absorption and spreading of dye and solvent, whereas a higher binder dose closed the pores and reduced the dye fixation and rate of solvent absorption. Although the top layer is essential for dye retention, it was demonstrated that the multilayering is essential not only for dye setting and dye capturing mechanism but can be utilized for vertically controlling the dye penetration and retention in the formed hydrophilic gel complex, which has a significant influence on optical effects and mechanical durability. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.