To obtain a novel stilbeneazo dye suitable for use in dyeing or printing cellulosic materials such as cotton or paper and amido-containing materials such as leather and advantageous in the production of inks suitable or use in especially an ink jet recorder.

At least one stilbeneazo dye corresponding to formula I (X an Y are each -CF3, a halogen, -CONR1R2, -COOH, -OH, -OR3 or the like; provided at least either of them is -N=N-R; R1 and R2 are each hydrogen, formyl, a 1-4C alkyl or the like; and R3 is a 1-4C alkyl, a 6-10C aryl or the like) is used as a dye in dyeing or printing cellulose and/or amino-containing materials. A particularly desirably example of the stilbeneazo dye of formula I is a compound of formula I (X (in the -N=NR) is formula II (R15 is hydrogen, a 1-4C alkyl, phenyl or the like) or the like; and Y is formula III (R16 is hydrogen, a 1-6C alkylene, phenyl or the like) or the like). This dye is obtained by from 4,4'-diaminostilbene-2-sulfonic acid by for example a known method.