Composition for surface colouration of paper

A method for the surface colouration of paper by applying to the paper surface a composition comprising

• a) from 0.1 to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a colouring pigment, whereby the colouring pigment is in solid form or in the form of a dispersion,
• b) from 0.1 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition of a starch/latex copolymer, characterized in that, in addition to starch, the monomeric components that are copolymerized comprise
• i) styrene or a substituted styrene,
• ii) an acrylate and/o methacrylate and, optionally,
• iii) one or more further ethylenically unsaturated monomers,
• c) from 0 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of starch or a starch derivative,
• d) from 0 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition of one or more auxiliaries and
• e) water to complete to 100% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.