Encapsulated C. I. disperse dye blue 60 (disperse dye) was prepared with poly(styrene-maleic acid) via phase separation method, followed by the preparation of dispersion and inkjet printing ink. The results showed that the encapsulated disperse dye dispersion had a small particle size, narrow particle size distribution, and excellent stability to centrifugal force, freeze-thaw treatment, polyols and alkali and its rheological behavior belong to Newtonian fluid. The ink that prepared using this dispersion satisfied with the requirement of Mimaki JV4-180 and showed an excellent printing performance at room temperature. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 1616-1621, 2011