The present invention relates to aqueous pigment compositions comprising—based in each case on the total weight of the composition— (A) 10% to 70% by weight of a coloring component comprising at least one color pigment and if appropriate at least one filler; (B) 0.1% to 30% by weight of a surface-active additive component based on at least one phosphoric or phosphonic ester, which may be anionic or nonionic; (C) 0.1% to 10% by weight of a nonionic, surface-active additive component based on at least one hydroxyl-containing acetylene or acetylene alkoxylate; (D) 0% to 20% by weight of an additive component comprising additives different than (B) and (C); (E) 1% to 89.8% by weight of a solvent component at least comprising water. The invention further relates to processes for preparing them and also to their use.