Phthalocyanine blue pigments and pigment dispersions for water-borne inks and coatings are described. The pigments are produced by dry milling phthalocyanine blue and a polymeric dispersant, optionally with inorganic fillers and other additives, to obtain a material with improved coloristic, rheological, and stability properties. The resulting activated crude is then processed directly into water-based pigment dispersion with additives and/or surfactants to facilitate conversion to pigmentary form while maintaining the desirable green and clean shade.