The core–shell structure ambient self-cross-linking acrylic emulsion was synthesized by core-shell structure seed emulsion polymerization method. Diacetone acrylamide（DAAM）and hydrazide adipate（ADH）were used as cross-linking monomers. Influence of different addition methods and different amount of DMMA-ADH on film properties were investigated. FTIR test confirmed that cross-linking reaction can be occurred when DMMA-ADH was introduced into the core or the shell. In this study, DMMA-ADH was introduced into the core and the shell of latex particles. The clear core-shell structure was characterized by TEM.