Thermoformable beaded articles with removable stabilizing layer and methods thereof

An article comprising:

• (i) a bead film comprising a binder resin layer and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded to at least 60% of the microsphere diameter in the binder resin layer wherein a portion of the microspheres outwardly protrude a first distance from the surface of the binder resin layer;
• (ii) a stabilizing layer disposed on the outwardly protruding microspheres opposite the binder resin layer, wherein the stabilizing layer intimately conforms to the protruding microspheres, and wherein the stabilizing layer has a glass transition temperature less than 100° C. and a storage modulus at 150° C. of at least 1.5 MPa wherein the stabilizing layer has a thickness greater than the first distance;
• and
• (iii) a release agent, wherein (a) the binder resin layer comprises the release agent, (b) the stabilizing layer comprises the release agent, and/or (c) an intermediate layer comprises the release agent, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between the plurality of microspheres and the stabilizing layer,
• with the proviso that when a polymeric backbone of the binder resin layer has a fluorine content greater than 65 wt %, the stabilizing layer comprises a release agent selected from a silicone, a fluoropolymer, and combinations thereof, and wherein the article is not retroreflective.