Water-fast printing with water-soluble dyes

A process for the water-fast printing of paper using a true solution containing one or more water-soluble polymeric dyes which comprises the steps of

• a. selecting a paper stock characterized as containing not less than 250 parts per million by weight, basis paper weight, of polyvalent metal cation,
• b. applying to said paper stock effective printing amounts of a colorant solution that comprises an aqueous solvent having dissolved therein at least about 500 parts per million by weight, basis solution, of a polymeric colorant or colorants characterized as nonchromophoric groups linking a plurality of units of chromophore, as containing anionic groups, and from 2 to 30% basis total solution of a water-soluble oxygen-containing organic paper-penetrating aid selected from three to eight carbon atom alkanols, glycols, glycol ethers and lactones thereby forming an unfinished print, and
• c. removing said solvent from said unfinished print.