Methods for preparing functional optical films

An optical article comprising a functionalized optical film prepared by:

• providing a first film having a smooth surface and a non-polished surface opposite the smooth surface;
• providing a solution comprising a solvent, and a solute comprising at least one functional additive;
• applying the solution onto the non-polished surface of the first film to form a coated first film surface;
• optionally, evaporating at least a portion of the solvent;
• combining the first film with a second film to produce a laminate comprising inwardly-facing first film and second film non-polished surfaces, wherein the first film and second film non-polished surfaces are contacting the solute, resulting in the laminate having smooth outward-facing surfaces;
• and
• combining a third film with the laminate to create a second laminate having the second film disposed between the first film and the third film;
• wherein at least a portion of the solute is embedded below the first film surface.