PURPOSE: To obtain a dye having high solubility in an ecologically allowable solvent and a low melting point by using a dye expressed by a specified formula in a dye-donor for dye thermal sublimation transfer which comprises a support provided with a dye layer containing a dye and a polymer binder.
CONSTITUTION: In a dye-donor for a dye thermal sublimation transfer method which comprises a support provided with a dye layer containing a dye and a polymer binder, a dye shown by a general formula shown separately is used. In the formula, R1-R3 are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, or the like; R4 is OR5, SR5, NR5R6 or a heterocyclic group (R5, R6 are each hydrogen, alkyl, allyl, or the like); R7, R8 are each hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, or a heterocyclic group; R9-R12 are each hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, alkyl, or the like. The dye layer of the dye-donor is arranged to face the dye image accepting layer of an accepting sheet and heated in the image forming direction to form an image.