The present invention concerns solvent-based acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives and hot melt (or solvent-less) acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives comprising a solution or misible blend of a. at least one hydrophobic (meth) acrylic polymer, b. at least one substantially water insoluble polyol having a number average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 20,000 and selected from the group consisting of polyester polyols, acrylic polyols, polycarbonate polyols and polyether polyols, c. at least one transition metal complex as cross-linking agent, d. optionally one or more tackifying resins, g. optionally one or more solvents, h. optionally one or more of plasticizers, adhesion promoters, pigments, fillers, antioxidants and UV stabilizers. It employs polyols which are substantially insoluble in water and miscible with the acrylic polymer used in the adhesive composition.