Methods and systems for dicing a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs) are described. In one embodiment, a method involves adhering an adhesive tape to a thin water soluble dry film. The method involves applying the thin water soluble dry film adhered to the adhesive tape over a surface of the semiconductor wafer. The method involves removing the adhesive tape from the thin water soluble dry film. The thin water soluble dry film is patterned with a laser scribing process, exposing regions of the semiconductor wafer between the ICs. The method involves etching the semiconductor wafer through gaps in the patterned thin water soluble dry film, and removing the thin water soluble dry film.