Compositions, systems, and methods for ink-jet printing having improved black to color bleed control, reduced wicking, and/or reduced halo are described. The composition can include a functionalized carbon pigment dispersed in an ink vehicle. The carbon pigment includes functional groups chemically attached thereto. Suitable functional groups includes an aromatic ring structure having multiple carboxyl groups (or salts thereof) attached to the aromatic ring structure, wherein at least two of the multiple carboxyl groups are positioned on adjacent carbon atoms of the aromatic ring structure.