An organic-solvent-soluble disperse dye was introduced into an aqueous phase by a reaction with a self-emulsified, aqueous-based polyurethane (PL), and this resulted in the formation of a homogeneous, aqueous polymeric dye dispersion. This aqueous polymeric dye was stable in a water phase with excellent color extension upon application. It was formulated with a latent curing agent, polyaziridine (e.g., TMPTA-AZ), as a single-component, self-curable, aqueous polymeric dye. The curing reaction took place between PU carboxylic acid and the latent curing agent upon drying. A self-cured polymeric dye was obtained with excellent color extension and fastness and resistance to organic solvents and water after drying. This single-component, self-curable, aqueous-based PU system containing a dye has potential for printing, writing, and dyeing applications. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.