A surface treatment composition includes a solution having a pH within a range of above 4 to 8 that includes metal cations produced in situ from a metal-containing substance having a K.sub.sp no greater than 110.sup.6 in a reaction with an acid having a pKa in a range of 3.0 to +3.5. The composition further includes an agent mixed with the solution that is either a surface sizing agent or a coating agent used on a paper substrate. A print media includes the composition applied to a paper substrate. Preparation of the composition includes reacting the metal-containing substance with the acid, adjusting the pH to above 4 to 8, and mixing the metal cation-containing solution with either the surface sizing or coating agents.