Radiation (thermal and light)-sensitive polymers are provided and are characterized by (1) a recurring unit of the formula: WHEREIN R2 is lower-alkoxy or phenyl, one of X and Y is -COOR and the other is -COR1, R is an azidosulfonylcarbanilyloxy alkylene group and R1 is -O-dye, -NH-dye or hydroxyarylamino, or (2) a combination in the same polymer chain of recurring units having the formulas: WHEREIN ONE OF X1 and Z1 represents -COOH and the other represents -COOR as defined above, and WHEREIN ONE OF X2 and Z2 represents -COOH and the other represents -COR1 as defined above. The polymers can be chemically bonded to substrates, such as those containing C - H bonds only (e.g., polyolefins), which are not normally dye receptive. The bonding is effected by exposure to appropriate radiation; the exposure can be carried out imagewise to produce an appropriate image on the substrate. Accordingly, the polymers of the invention find use in the photoresist, printing and like arts.