An ink absorbing substrate suitable for use in inkjet printing systems is provided. The substrate comprises at least one continuous fiber bonded to itself at points of contact to form a substantially self-sustaining structure for retaining ink. The continuous fiber preferably is a bicomponent fiber having a core material and a sheath material at least partially surrounding the core material. The core material preferably is a crystalline thermoplastic polymer and the sheath material preferably is low density polyethylene modified with a cycloolefin copolymer.