An anionic coloring agent according to the following formula: CA—RSA. CA comprises at least a chromophore and RSA is a spacer-arm with the chemical structure: —X—R-Z. X is a chemical bond, —S(O)n, or —NR1, wherein R1 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 alkyl group; R is a C1-C10 alkylene group; Z is —NR2R3, wherein R2 and R3 are, independently hydrogen or a C1-C10 alkyl group. Alternatively, Z is —NR4—(CH2)m—W, wherein R4 is hydrogen, a hydroxy C1-C10 alkyl group, or C1-C10 alkyl group; m is an integer from 1 to 10; and W is —COOR5, wherein R5 is hydrogen, a C1-C10 alkyl group; or —CONR6R7. R6 and R7 are, independently, a hydrogen atom, a C1-C10 alkyl group, —SO3H; —S—SO3H; —CN: or SO3R8 wherein, R8 is hydrogen, a C1-C10 alkyl group, or —S—SO3R9 group, wherein, R9 is hydrogen atom, or a C1-C10 alkyl group; provided that when X is —NR1, and Z is —NR2R3, then R1, R2 and R3 cannot be simultaneously a hydrogen atom. The inclusion of spacer-arms in anionic coloring agents improves dye properties such as strength, tone and affinity.