The adsorption of several anionic dyes on nanosize alumina-modified silica particles of different compositions and modal sizes has been studied, These silica cores have the same surface properties as alumina dispersed in aqueous solutions. The negatively charged dyes are electrostatically attracted to positively charged cores and chemisorbed by forming a surface Al lake. The application of so obtained pigments in the preparation of color films and their optical characteristics are described.