Abstract: Process for preparing a stable liquid dye which is useful as a ball-point pen ink, said process comprising admixing and reacting at 20.degree.-80.degree. C. approximately stoichiometric amounts of a water-soluble cationic dye and a water-soluble anionic dye to form a cationic-anionic dye salt, there being present either during or subsequent to the admixing and reacting a two-phase liquid medium comprising an upper aqueous phase and a lower ball-point pen ink solvent phase, in which lower phase the cationic-anionic dye salt dissolves, the ball-point pen ink solvent being substantially insoluble in water, and thereafter separating the aqueous and solvent phases and recovering the solvent phase which provides a stable liquid dye which is useful as a ball-point pen ink.