Light-stabilized ink composition

A method of stabilizing an ink jet print against the deleterious effects of light which comprises

• preparing an aqueous solution containing at least 30% by weight of water and
• (i) an effective coloring amount of a water soluble dye, and
• (ii) 0.01 to 20% by weight, based on the total solution, an effective stabilizing amount, of at least one compound of formula I ##STR20## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, --COO--R.sub.9 --OSO.sub.3 X, --COOX or --SO.sub.3 X R.sub.2 is hydrogen, OH, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.12 aralkyl, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkoxy or a --Y--Z group,
• R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, a --Y--Z group or a --Y--O--Z' group,
• X is hydrogen or M,
• M is Li, Na, K, 1/2 Mg, 1/2 Ca, 1/2 Zn, 1/2 Co (II), 1/2 Ni (II), 1/3 Cr (III), 1/3 Fe (III), ##STR21## wherein R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are each independently of one another hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, hydroxyethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl or benzyl,
• Y is a direct bond or a divalent group of one of the following formulae:
• ##STR22## wherein R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10 and R.sub.11 are each independently of one another C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylene which may be substituted by 1-10 hydroxyl groups or are C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkylene which is interrupted by 1-10 --O-- or --NH--, and
• Z is a --COOX or --SO.sub.3 X group, and Z' is --SO.sub.3 X,
• with the proviso that the compound of formula I contains at least one group of formula --COOX or --SO.sub.3 X;
• and then
• applying said aqueous solution as an ink onto a recording material for ink jet printing to form an ink jet print containing an effective stabilizing amount of said compound of formula I.