A dye preparation consists of a water-soluble acid dye and a water-insoluble basic carrier. The carrier consists of crosslinked polymer particles of average particle diameter of less than 1 .mu.m and contains at least 2 mVal/g of quaternary ammonium or phosphonium groups. The dye reacts with the carrier in an ion exchange reaction and forms a dye polymer latex which can easily isolated in solid form, stored indefinitely and redispersed in water whenever required. It forms a so-called self-dispersing dye preparation. The dye preparation is useful for making dyed layers such as in photographic recording materials.