Processes characterized by dissolving a dye in a solution of organic solvent and an epoxy resin type polymer, which requires a curing agent in order to create a resultant nanosphere that will crosslink through the action of the curing agent, and not simply as the result of a solvent removal which defined each nanosphere. The dye may be in a concentration range of 1% to 50% by weight of solvent, and the organic solvent must have limited solubility in water, typically less than 20%. An initial intermolecular mixing step dissolves dye and epoxy resin within a solvent so as to make a homogeneous solvent/polymer/dye intermediate mixture, that then is dispersed as nanoparticles in water, and thereafter crosslinked. Surfactants may be used to assist in dispersing the dye/polymer/solvent solution into the water continuous phase.