The present invention is directed to a water-based printing ink or coating composition comprising an acrylic resin emulsion and an epoxy ester resin dispersion. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the printing ink or coating composition comprising forming an emulsion of an acrylic resin having the general formula I by copolymerizing monomers in water, forming an epoxy ester resin dispersion by adding the epoxy ester resin to a solvent and combining the acrylic resin emulsion and the epoxy resin ester dispersion to provide the composition. Finally the present invention provides a process for preparing an article with a coating or an ink printed thereon which comprises applying the ink or coating composition to a surface of an article and drying the composition. The compositions exhibit a high degree of alkali resistance, acid resistance and/or water softener resistance.