Four corm inorg. pigments were dispersed in water in presence of surfactants and thickeners (synthesized in situ). Poly(vinyl alcohol), Na salt of carboxymethyl cellulose as well as water-based polyurethane oligomer, acrylic and metacrylic polymers and copolymers were used as thickeners. The dispersions were studied for stability, crit. micelle concn., viscosity and dispersion efficiency. The systems contg. Na salt of carboxymethyl cellulose or polyurethane oligomer with ethoxylated satd. fatty alc. or fatty amine were most efficient.