Vinyl acetate (VA) and butyl acrylate (BA) monomers were emulsion copolymerized by using controlled monomer and initiator addition method. Particle size distributions, viscosity average molecular weights (<(M)over bar (V)>), glass-transition temperatures (T-g degrees) and molar composition of the copolymers were determined. Surface tension components of the copolymer films were calculated from contact angle data of various liquids by using Van Oss-Good methodology. A decrease of average particle size and T-g degrees was found by the increase of BA content. <(M)over bar (V)> increased up to 40mol% BA, then decreased. Apolar Lifshitz-Van der Waals surface tension component was not affected by the change in BA content; however, electron donor surface tension coefficient (gamma(s)(-)) decreased considerably with the BA increase. The work of adhesion was calculated for cellulosic substrate-latex film interfaces.