4,4',7,7'-Tetrachlorothioindigo pigments of high color strength are prepared by oxidizing 3-hydroxy-4,7-dichlorothionaphthene or a mixture of tetrachlorothioindigo and hydroxydichlorothionaphthene in aqueous alkaline suspension with a salt of a nitro-aromatic sulfonic acid, in the presence of a high-boiling, water-immiscible or only slightly water-miscible aromatic liquid, at from 40.degree. to 100.degree. C., and heating the organic suspension to 110.degree.-180.degree. C. Pigmentary forms of tetrachlorothioindigo are isolated which give deep colorations of high brilliance when reduced with white pigments.