Abstract: Water-reducible coating formulations suitable for use in thermal reflow coating protocols are described. The water-based coating formulations comprise an aqueous dispersion of a resin solids composition. The resin solids comprise about 70 to about 99% by weight of an acrylic resin having a glass transition temperature less than 150.degree. F. and an effective amount of a reflow modifier selected from a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature greater than 150.degree. F. or less than 80% of the stoichiometric amount of a cross-linking agent for the acrylic resin. The improved water-based formulations in accordance with the invention provide high gloss, thermally reflowable coatings without the high organic volatiles content of art-recognized thermal reflow coating systems.