Methods of grafting an acrylate coating onto a substrate, and articles comprising a substrate with an acrylate coating are disclosed. The acrylate coatings can be formed by applying a first coating layer comprising at least one acrylate monomer and a Type II photoinitiator onto a first surface area of the substrate; and irradiating the first coating layer to form a first polymeric layer, wherein the polymer coating includes the first polymeric layer. The methods can be performed in open air, at room temperature, at ambient pressure, or without de- aerating the compounds, and the resulting acrylate coatings exhibit improved adhesive properties to the substrate.