<p>Recyclable paper stock comprising a substrate (12) coated on at least one surface with a water based emulsion coating (14). The water based emulsion coating comprises 20-90 dry wt. % of an acrylic-styrene copolymer and 5-70 dry wt. % of a wax. In another embodiment a second water based emulsion coating (18) comprised of an acrylic-styrene copolymer is coated on the substrate surface opposite the initial water based emulsion coating. The substrate may also be coated with a primer coat (20) prior to the application of the water based emulsion coatings to seal the substrate surface. The invention also includes processes for making and using the invented acrylic coated paper stocks.</p>