In a method for the manufacture of a nacreous pigment, in which a multi-layer film is produced by vacuum evaporation coating on a substrate and, after release from the substrate, the particles thus produced are comminuted to pigment particles of a desired size, vapor deposition of a plurality of layers taking place at separate locations within an evacuable container and the substrate being passed along the sources of evaporation, it is provided that at least a backing (A), in particular a silicon oxide layer, and at least a metal oxide layer (B), in particular a titanium oxide layer, are vapor-deposited on the substrate, in particular a circulating metal belt.