The invention relates to aqueous colorant preparations containing A) between 0.1 and 50 wt. % of at least one organic and/or inorganic pigment and/or at least one organic colorant. B) between 0.01 and 80 wt. % of at least one naphthol-oxyalkylate sulfopropyl ether, one alkanol-oxyalkylate sulfopropyl ether or one alkylphenol-oxyalkylate sulfopropyl ether. C) between 0 and 30 wt. % of at least one organic solvent. D) between 0 and 20 wt. % of other standard derivatives and E) between 10 and 90 wt % of water, respectively in relation to the total weight (100%) of the colorant preparation. The colorant preparation is used, for example, in printing inks, especially ink jet printing inks.