Dye donor element for use in a thermal dye transfer method

A method for making an image according to the thermal dye transfer process comprising the steps of:

• placing the dye layer of a dye donor element comprising on a support a dye layer, said dye layer comprising a binder and a dye according to formula (I):
• ##STR76## wherein:
• R.sup.1 represents NR.sup.4 R.sup.5, OR.sup.6 or SR.sup.6,
• R.sup.2 represents hydrogen cyano COR.sup.7, CO.sub.2 R.sup.7, CONR.sup.8 R.sup.9, SO.sub.2 R.sup.10,
• Y represents any substituent,
• n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, said Y substituents being the same or different when n is greater than 1 or said Y substituents can form an annelated ring system;
• R.sup.3 is the residue of a heterocyclic amine R.sup.3 --NH.sub.2,
• R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 each independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, an aryl, a heterocyclic ring or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 together represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6-membered ring or R.sup.4 and/or R.sup.5 together with one of the Y-substituents represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6-membered, fused-on heterocyclic ring system or R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 together represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6-membered ring or R.sup.7 or R.sup.8 or R.sup.9 or R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 together with one of the Y-substituents represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6-membered, fused-on heterocyclic ring system,
• R.sup.10 represents hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, NR.sup.11 R.sup.12, aryl or alkyl, or R.sup.10 together with one of the Y-substituents represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6-membered, fused-on heterocyclic ring system, R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 each independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, an aryl, a heterocyclic ring or R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 together represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6-membered ring in face-to-face relationship with a dye-image receiving layer of a receiver sheet:
• image-wise heating of a thus obtained assemblage and
• separating said receiver sheet from said dye donor element.