Dye-donor elements and assemblages for thermal dye transfer processing comprising a polymeric support having thereon, in order, a subbing layer and a dye layer comprising a dye dispersed in a binder, and wherein the subbing layer comprises a mixture of:(1) a polymer having an inorganic backbone which is an oxide of a Group IVa or IVb element, and(2) a copolymer comprising recurring units of:a) an acryloxyalkoxysilane or acrylamidoalkoxysilane, andb) an alkyl acrylate ester.In a preferred embodiment, the polymer is an organic titanate or a titanium alkoxide.