The red emitting phosphor Y2O2S:Eu commonly applied in colour television tubes was pigmented with a thin homogeneous layer of nanosized Fe2O3 particles based on a novel coating strategy. In a first step the phosphor was covered with nanosized Fe3O4 particles which themselves were prepared by reduction of an Fe(III)-salt with hydrazine. Thereafter, Fe3O4 was converted to Fe2O3 by heating to 450 degrees C in air. Surface composition and body colour of the corresponding phosphor samples were investigated applying ESCA and measuring diffuse reflectance. The size of the Fe2O3 particles as well as the homogeneity of the resulting coating were studied by SEM. Furthermore, the adhesion of Fe2O3 particles on the phosphor surface was examined.