The present invention relates to composition and an article prepared by applying the composition to paper. The composition comprises an aqueous dispersion of acrylic or styrene acrylic polymer particles having a hard phase and a soft phase, wherein both phases comprise structural units of an specific acid monomer. The composition further includes sub-stoichiometric levels of a Zn++ or Zr++++ with respect to the carboxylic acid groups. The composition is useful as imparting block and tack resistance as a coating on paper.