Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for use in preparing thickened thermosol dyeing baths or printing paste wherein natural or synthetic thickeners are employed, comprising an aqueous system of one or more substantially water insoluble dyes and from about 2 to about 12%, preferably from about 3 to about 10%, and most preferably 4 to about 8% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). In general, the dyes useful in the present composition are disperse dyes as defined in the Color Index, 3rd Edition, as azo, anthraquinone, methine, nitroarylamine, and quinoline. Particularly useful are such dyes, for example, comprised of couplers selected from aniline, tetrahydroquinoline, benzomorpholine, and their known derivatives, and diazo components selected from phenyl, thiazolyl, isothiazole, thiadiazolyl, thienyl, benzothiazolyl, and benzisothiazolyl and their known derivatives.