The invention discloses self-crosslinking polyacrylate rubber latex, a preparation method thereof and water-based paper printing ink. The self-crosslinking polyacrylate rubber latex is prepared by the following steps: mixing an acrylic ester monomer, a hydrophilic monomer and ADH in a head tank A; mixing water, an emulsifier, the acrylic ester monomer and DAAM in a head tank B; adding water, the emulsifier and polymerizable self-emulsifying functional monomer, stirring the mixture, heating the mixture to 75 DEG C, and dripping a mixture in the head tank A and an initiator to prepare a protective colloid first; dripping the mixture in the head tank B and the initiator at 85 DEG C; and performing a constant-temperature reaction. The water-based paper printing ink is prepared by the following steps: dissolving a phenylethylene-acrylic acid polymer and a pH value regulator in water at 60 DEG C with stirring; adding a pigment and necessary assistant and mixing the mixture to prepare color paste; and uniformly mixing the color paste with the self-crosslinking polyacrylate rubber latex, a surface tension regulator and water. The water-based paper printing ink can be diluted by one or a mixture of two of water and ethanol, can be dried quickly and has high printing adaptability.