A dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprises a support having thereon a dye dipersed in a polymeric binder, the dye having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having from about 5 to about 7 carbon atoms or an aryl group having from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represents R.sup.1 ; or either or both of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 can be joined to the carbon atom of the aromatic ring at a position ortho to the position of attachment of the anilino nitrogen to form a 5- or 6-membered ring; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 can be joined together to form, along with the nitrogen to which they are attached, a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring;R.sup.5 represents hydrogen; halogen; cyano; carbamoyl; alkoxycarbonyl; acyl; a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy group group having frm 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having from about 5 to about 7 carbon atoms; an aryl group having from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms; or a dialkylamino grup; andZ represents hydrogen or the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring.