Direct deposition of high quality ferroelectric PVDF thin films using a modulated temperature spin coating method is demonstrated. The method is qualitatively guided from Flory-Huggins theory of polymeric solutions and is general in applicability. Ferroelectric PVDF films with similar high structural and dielectric quality are deposited in environments ranging from 20 to 80% relative humidity on polar and non-polar surfaces. The films do not show the presence of the non-ferroelectric -phase. Resultant films have rms roughness values lower than 16 nm and remnant polarizations up to 6.5 mu C cm(-2). (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 221-227