the invention taught herein provides a homogeneous ink - vehicle system comprising a water insoluble dye , a coupling / dispersive agent , and water . the coupling / dispersive agent is a compound having at least 2 different reactive or interactive sites or more sites . it can therefore be described as a multifunctional ( i . e . dual ) compound since it has at least 2 functional groups . the invention further provides a water insoluble dye associated with an coupling / dispersive agent by coupling / dispersive agent is meant a compound with at least two functional groups or reactive sites or regions , one such group , site or region assisting in water solubility , and another associating with the dye . the dye and coupling / dispersive agent were associated through van der weal &# 39 ; s forces . the insoluble dye may be any of the large variety of dyes known to be insoluble in water . specific examples are provided below . the aqueous vehicle is largely water , and typically deionized water . other ingredients , such as isopropyl alcohol , may be included in the aqueous vehicle , depending on desired ink characteristics and also , of course , on the type of printer for which a given ink is formulated and all factors generally considered by ink system designers . the aqueous vehicle also generally includes solvent ( diethylene glycol , for example ) either incorporated from the solubilization of the solid dye powder , or added in order to accommodate of other factors , including ink system design considerations . typically the aqueous vehicle is present in the major amount of the ink composition , in the range of 10 to 95 percent , and preferably approximately 50 to 90 percent based on total weight of the ink . the coupling / dispersive agent is selected from the group of compounds that exhibit both the capacity for dye association as well as the characteristics of dissolving in water . while many compounds may be identified as demonstrating these capacities and characteristics , the specific embodiments provided herein are of two basic types . one embodiment includes a coupling / dispersive agent comprising a short backbone of fewer than several dozen carbons in a chain , with the preferred length being 4 to 6 carbons . satisfactory compounds include a carboxylic acid or a phosphonic acid . it is thought that one end of these phenyl groups forms a van der waals attraction to the insoluble dye molecules . the other end cooh , easily dissolves with surrounding aqueous vehicle ( the major part of which is water , as described hereinabove ). the term “ end ” is used herein to describe the situation that the reactive or functional groups , sites , or regions are either terminal groups or otherwise somehow spatially distinct . it is not meant to be strictly construed to limit the compounds taught by the invention . rather , the invention provides for dual functionally the coupling dispersive agent : that of both coupling with the dye and that of dispersing in water . the examples provided herein are believed to form associations on a molecular level , one dye molecule per coupling / dispersive molecule , and this homogeneity facilitates ink performance . the second eligible coupling / dispersive agent provided by the invention is a much larger molecule generally in the range of 15 - 25 monomer units , and typically an acrylic . the preferred embodiment provided herein teaches the use of a short acrylic commercially known as joncryl &# 39 ; 682 . joncryl is a low molecular weight ( 1700 ) acrylic resin available from sc johnson polymer of racine , wis . the invention taught herein provides a method for making an improved ink composition . the method of ink according to the present invention includes the steps of : selecting a dye ; selecting a solvent ; and dissolving the dye in the solvent . adding a preselected coupling / dispersive agent to the solution of dye dissolved in solvent . the preselection of coupling / dispersive agent is from the group of molecules having at least two functional groups . ( the term functional group as used herein means any identifiable site , region or functional structure that contributes to the associative process ). the first functional group is pre - selected for dye associative properties , with pi - electrons from an aromatic ring , or other electrostatic force , such as ionic forces , enhancing association of the functional group with dye molecules . the second functional group is pre - selected for solubility in water typically arising out of easy formation of ionic or hydrogen bonds and may be selected from a range of carboxylic , phosphonic or other acidic groups . upon addition , the solubilized dye interacts with the coupling / dispersive agent ; most particularly , with a so - called first functional group of the coupling / dispersive agent . after dye has interacted with the coupling / dispersive agent , the aqueous vehicle is added to the dye / coupling dispersive agent solution . the coupling / dispersive agent then interacts with the molecules in the aqueous vehicle through a second functional group . this association of the coupling / dispersive agent with , as to one functional group , the dye , and as to the other functional group , the water , results in the dissolution of the water insoluble dye in water . in preferred embodiment , the coupling / dispersive agent selected was an acrylic resin solution commercially available as joncryl 61lv , ( composed in large part of joncryl &# 39 ; 678 , a low molecular weight acrylic resin ) or a solution of joncryl &# 39 ; 682 ( a low molecular weight styrenated acrylic resin supplied in flake form ). these polymers are estimated to have about 15 to 20 monomer units . it is thought that because the polymer is not long enough to wrap around the dye molecule , it associates with the dye by van der waals forces . the other end of the polymer has a water soluble ionic group such as an acid . in preferred embodiment , an ink solution with a roughly one - to - one ratio of polymer to dye ( where the dye has a molecular weight of about 800 ) was used and printed using an hp deskjet printer . the ink was composed of orasol pink ( water in soluble ) 1 . 3 %; aqueous vehicle 83 %; joncryl 61lv , 6 . 7 %; and isopropyl alcohol 9 %. the ink has a viscosity of 7 . 5 cps and was printed with a deskjet pen . a variety of coupling / dispersive agents with structures similar to the monomer ( functional group ) of the joncryl polymer were used . phenyl groups associate well with dye and acid groups provide good solubility in water . print samples were generated using the hp deskjet printer . ink water - fastness was measured by paper chromatography and indicated little or no migration with water . the ink according to the invention taught herein has higher affinity to the paper fiber ( cellulose ) than to water . the terminal polar group of the coupling / dispersant backbone to the hydroxyl group in the cellulose upon drying ; the strength of the bond between the cellulose and the terminal polar group prevents smearing upon rewetting . referring now to fig1 is shown the method of solubilization and the water - fast qualities of the dried ink on the substrate . the coupling / dispersive agent ( cda ) 11 ( having a hydrophilic region or portion 11 a and a hydrophobic region or portion 11 b connected by an organic linking group 11 c ) is first dissolved in an organic solvent . this solution is then contacted with water insoluble dye 12 ( usually in an organic solvent ). dye 12 interacts with a suitable portion 11 b of the agent producing an associated moiety 13 . water is then added and the agent bonded to the water - insoluble dye as moiety 13 remains in the aqueous solution . the aqueous solution of the ink is sprayed ( printed ) onto a substrate such as paper . the water and solvent evaporates quickly and the agent 11 bonds to the substrate 15 . since the agent 11 is now bonded to the substrate with agent 11 and dye 12 are both water insoluble , the printed ink is now water fast on the substrate 15 . the ink taught herein is not limited to water insoluble dye . the coupling / dispersant agent may be pre - selected for dye in combination with a non - aqueous solvent , such as isopropyl alcohol ( ipa ). moreover , rather than paper fiber ( cellulose ) the substrate affinity replacing solvent bonding may vary widely polar forces are useful in bonding the dye to many surfaces including metallic surfaces such as aluminum cans and the like . in sum , the invention taught herein provides ink of good transparency . the ink is easy to manufacture because no pigment grinding is required and there are no particle size distribution complications . the ink - vehicle system is flexible accommodating a variety of dye based inks , various coupling / dispersant components as well as wide range of ink - substrate end products . the resulting ink - substrate coupling is non - smearing and water ( or solvent ) fast . the ink eliminates the problems of dispersing pigment in “ ink jet ” ink , and , because of adequate binding characteristics , is more robust than systems dependent on or sensitive to the ink vehicle . while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein , it is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made in the novel components of this water - fast ink jet ink and the method to produce water - fast inkjet print without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention . all such modifications and changes coming within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be covered thereby .