The present disclosure relates to a coating composition for use in producing a coating on paper and other substrates comprising an aqueous suspension of a particulate pigment together with a binder, wherein the particulate pigment comprises a mixture of: a first pigment component comprising particulate ground calcium carbonate (GCC) having a particle size distribution (psd) steepness factor ranging from about 30 to about 45; and a second pigment component comprising particulate precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) having a psd steepness factor ranging from about 55 to about 75. The particulate pigment may optionally further include a particulate kaolin clay.