A non-absorbing barrier layer for photographic printing paper includes a non-polyolefin resin. A photographic printing paper includes a base substrate; a image receiving layer and a barrier layer comprising a non-polyolefin resin coated on the base substrate. A method of making a photographic printing paper includes coating a barrier layer comprising a non-polyolefin resin on a base substrate. Another method of making a photographic printing paper includes forming a barrier layer on a base substrate using reactive monomers