A color filter assembly comprising a topcoat layer which comprises a composition, wherein the composition in general comprises a crosslinking agent and a reactive resin binder, i.e., a resin that can undergo self-condensation and/or crosslinking with one or more other components of the composition upon thermal treatment or other activation. Preferred resin binders include those resins that contain pendant polar functional groups, particularly acidic moieties such as carboxyl (COOH) and/or hydroxyl (OH). Acrylic resins containing such groups are particularly preferred. Compositions of the invention exhibit low thickness loss and have exceptional light transmission properties. Compositions of the invention are also useful as carriers for pigments and dyes for forming color filter elements.