The present invention provides a method of minimizing absorption of
visible light in an ink composition comprising an IR-absorbing metal
cyanine dye, said method comprising preselecting said dye such that said
metal has at least one axial ligand bound thereto, wherein said axial
ligand comprises a moiety suitable for reducing intermolecular
interactions between adjacent dye molecules. The method is especially
suitable for use in connection with netpage and Hyperlabel systems.