Experimental results regarding reaction rate profiles and final latex and polymer properties are presented for combinations of four different RAFT agents [benzyl dithioacetate (BDA), benzyl dithiobenzoate (BDB), 1-phenyl ethyl dithiobenzoate (PhEDB), and cumyl dithiobenzoate (CDB)] and three types of initiators [potassium peroxodisulfate (KPS), 4,4'-azobis (4-cyanopentanoic acid) (ACPA), and poly(ethylene glycol)-azo-initiator (PEGA200)]. It was found out that at given type of RAFT agent the type of initiator has a strong influence on the reaction rate profiles as well as on both the molecular properties of the polymers and the colloidal properties of the latexes. Among the RAFT agents tested BDA is the most efficient one regarding the control of chain growth. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.