The photostability of polymerizable dyes, naphthalimide derivatives, two containing a stabilizer residue in their structure, was investigated. The copolymers with methyl methacrylate (MMA) had an intense colour and fluorescence, stable to solvents. The photostability of the dyes included in the polymer chain increased. The influence of the dyes on the phothostability of the inherently and "in mass" coloured polymers was established. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.