This invention relates to a process for making polymer-dye particles
comprising, in order:
I) forming a colorant mixture comprising a water insoluble dye and an
organic medium containing at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer;
II) combining the colorant mixture with an aqueous mixture comprising a
surfactant and a co-stabilizer to form a colorant mixture/aqueous mixture;
III) causing the colorant mixture/aqueous mixture to form a stable aqueous
droplet mixture via strong agitation; and
IV) initiating polymerization to form composite polymer-dye particles
comprising a colorant phase and a polymer phase;
wherein an addition polymerization initiator is added prior to initiating
polymerization.
It further relates to composite polymer dye particles prepared by the above
process and to composite polymer dye particles comprising a colorant phase
containing a water insoluble dye, and a polymer phase, said particles
being associated with a co-stabilizer.
