Coating manufacturers are continually working to improve their products. This is achieved by either improving the performance of the cured coating, or by reducing the time it takes for a coating to return to service after application. One of the key properties that allows a coating to return to service quickly is the rapid development of block resistance, which is the ability of a coating to resist adhering to, or developing blemishes due to contact with another object. Block resistance is an important property for most coatings applications that spans many market segments, including architectural, institutional, cabinetry, and industrial paints. Block resistance is one of the many performance requirements demanded of paint consumers today, which drives paint manufacturers and raw material suppliers alike to find the best balance of properties for their market, with the fewest compromises. In this article, we will discuss the role of latex in delivering on this goal with a new approach to near-zero-VOC coatings with same-day block resistance, without a reliance on fluorosurfactants.