Transfer printing process for hydrophilic fibrous material

In a transfer printing process for the dyeing or printing of hydrophilic fibrous material which comprises (A) bringing the surface of a hydrophilic fibrous material into contact with the treated surface of a carrier, said carrier sheet having been treated with a printing ink containing at least one transferable, metallizable dye or color former, (B) subjecting the carrier and hydrophilic fibrous material to heat treatment for a time and at a temperature sufficient to achieve transfer of the dye or color former to the hydrophilic fibrous material, (C) separating the hydrophilic fibrous material from the carrier sheet, and (D) subjecting the hydrophilic fibrous material to aftertreatment,

• the improvement according to which the hydrophilic fibrous material is, prior to contact with the carrier sheet, impregnated with an aqueous solution comprising
• (a) an organic solvent which
• (1) has a boiling point higher than 120.degree. C.
• (2) has a solubility in water of at least 25 g/l at 25.degree. C. directly or with the aid of an auxiliary solvent, and
• (3) is sparingly volatile but fluid under the heat treatment conditions of (B), and
• (b) at least one compound which yields a metal which forms a complex with the dye or color former of the printing ink, and
• following impregnation, said hydrophilic fibrous material is dried at a temperature up to about 100.degree. C.