A novel method for fixation of thermal cationic dye transfer images using clay–dye intercalation is presented. Instead of conventional disperse dyes, modified cationic dyes are transferred to a dye receiving layer that includes a clay that has exchangeable organophilic ammonium cations. The color image formed in the interior of the clay by superposition of cyan, magenta, and yellow dyes is stored as an insoluble and infusible pigment. The mechanism of fixing cationic dyes for practical thermal dye transfer printing is discussed.