NOVELTY - Preparing (M1) an intrinsically conducting polymer having a polymeric matrix with an ionic dye retained in it, involves chemical oxidative polymerization of monomers under acidic conditions in the presence of the ionic dye to form the intrinsically conducting polymer.    USE - In print cartridge and sensing device (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The use of a chemical oxidative pathway instead of a conventional electrochemical oxidative pathway, the intrinsically conducting polymer is advantageously prepared rapidly and efficiently on a laboratory or industrial scale.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) forming (M2) on a surface of a substrate the intrinsically conducting polymer having the polymeric matrix with the ionic dye retained in it, involving either applying to the surface of the substrate a mixture comprising a chemical oxidant and the ionic dye; and polymerizing monomers under acidic conditions in the presence of the chemical oxidant and the ionic dye to form the intrinsically conducting polymer, where the chemical oxidant promotes the polymerization of monomers; printing onto the surface of the substrate the mixture comprising chemical oxidant and the ionic dye; and exposing the printed mixture to monomers in the vapor phase which polymerize under acidic conditions in the presence of the chemical oxidant and the ionic dye to form the intrinsically conducting polymer; or printing onto the surface of the substrate a mixture comprising the chemical oxidant, the ionic dye, monomer and a polymerization retardant, where after printing the monomers polymerize under acidic conditions in the presence of the chemical oxidant and the ionic dye to form the intrinsically conducting polymer, where the chemical oxidant promotes the polymerization of the monomers;    (2) a composition comprising either the chemical oxidant and the ionic dye, where the composition, upon being applied to a surface of a substrate and exposed to monomers in the vapor phase, will, under acidic conditions, promote the vapor phase polymerization of the monomers to form the conducting polymer; or the chemical oxidant, the ionic dye, the monomer and the polymerization retardant, where composition, after being applied to a surface of a substrate will polymerize under acidic conditions to form the polymer;    (3) a print cartridge comprising the composition; and    (4) a sensing device comprising the polymer, where the ionic dye is released from the polymeric matrix in response to a condition to be sensed.