Consumables · Print finishing
Liquid Coatings
Marabu ClearShield water-based liquid coatings protect digital prints and fine art with film-laminate performance — superior UV, abrasion and chemical resistance — at up to 60% lower cost. Filter by application to find the right one.
Protect your prints. Enhance your finish. Reduce your costs.
Marabu ClearShield water-based liquid coatings deliver film-laminate protection while saving up to 60% in production costs. Each is formulated for specific substrates and ink types — for banners, wall coverings, canvas, vehicle graphics and more.
Film-laminate protection
ClearShield coatings deliver the UV, chemical and abrasion resistance of a film laminate — protecting digital prints from fading, wear and dirt in demanding indoor and outdoor environments.
Up to 60% lower cost
As a water-based liquid, ClearShield saves up to 60% versus film lamination — a sustainable, cost-effective finishing route for banners, wraps, wall coverings and fine art.
Roller, spray or laminator
Apply by hand with a roller for smaller jobs, HVLP spray for even coverage, or roll-to-roll on the Marabu StarLam for high-speed production. There is a formulation for each method.
The ClearShield range
Six water-based coatings, each tuned to a different application and finishing method. Filter by what you are protecting to find the right one.
ClearShield Classic
General-purpose print protection
A high-viscosity, water-based coating with outstanding UV, chemical and abrasion resistance. Suitable for most non-water-sensitive materials, it delivers the highest film build in the range — ideal for vinyl, banners, vehicle graphics and signage. Advanced UV inhibitors and HALS stabilisers protect against fading, wear and dirt pick-up, at up to 60% lower cost than film laminate.
- Highest film build in the range
- UV inhibitors + HALS stabilisers resist fading and wear
- Up to 60% cheaper than film lamination
ClearShield Classic Lite
Lower-viscosity, spray or roller
A lower-viscosity version of Classic offering the same high-level UV, chemical and abrasion resistance. Ideal for most non-water-sensitive materials, and versatile enough to apply by hand or through automated spray equipment for production environments.
- Same protection as Classic, thinner build
- Roller or HVLP spray application
- Up to 60% cheaper than film lamination
ClearShield Anti-Graffiti
Graffiti & vandalism protection
A two-part, water-based coating giving unmatched protection against graffiti, paint, markers and harsh cleaning agents. Designed for areas prone to vandalism or heavy wear, with exceptional durability, chemical resistance and UV protection in a high-gloss finish.
- Resists graffiti, paint, markers and harsh cleaners
- High-gloss, easy-clean surface
- State-of-the-art UV inhibitors for outdoor clarity
ClearShield Canvas Guard
Fine art canvas & Giclée
A flexible, water-based coating designed specifically for canvas and Giclée. Its formulation lets coated canvases be stretched without cracking — ideal for fine art reproduction and gallery wraps. Engineered for micro-porous and porous inkjet canvases, it minimises pinholes and is non-yellowing.
- Stretches without cracking for gallery wraps
- Non-yellowing, enhances colour vibrancy
- Minimises pinholes on inkjet canvas
ClearShield for the StarLam
Roll-to-roll automated laminating
A water-based coating formulated for roll-to-roll application on the Marabu StarLam Liquid Laminator or other automated systems. Delivers film-laminate-level protection at up to 60% lower cost, with exceptional UV, chemical and abrasion resistance for high-speed automated finishing.
- Formulated for StarLam / automated laminators
- Consistent coverage at high speed
- Up to 60% cheaper than film lamination
ClearShield Wall Armor
Commercial wall coverings
A Type II certified, water-based coating engineered for digitally printed wall coverings in commercial environments. Combines the trusted ClearShield protection with added stain, abrasion and fire resistance for projects that demand higher safety and durability standards. Compatible with latex, eco-solvent and UV-curable inks.
- Type II certified with added fire resistance
- Stain, abrasion and wash resistance
- Proven with DreamScape, Korographics and PhotoTex
Not sure which coating suits your prints?
Tell us your media, inks and how you want to apply it — by hand, spray or laminator — and we'll recommend the right ClearShield and finish.
Liquid coating questions
Why liquid over film, which product to choose, and how to apply it.
What is a liquid coating and why use one instead of film laminate?
A liquid coating is a protective clear layer rolled, sprayed or machine-applied over a finished print. Compared with film lamination it gives comparable UV, chemical and abrasion protection while saving up to 60% in cost, with no trapped air or silvering, and it conforms to textured or irregular media.
Which ClearShield should I use?
It depends on the job: Classic or Classic Lite for general signage, banners and vehicle graphics; Anti-Graffiti for vandalism-prone areas; Canvas Guard for fine art and Giclée; Wall Armor for commercial wall coverings; and the StarLam formulation for automated roll-to-roll production. Filter above by application.
Can I apply it by hand, or do I need a machine?
Both. Most ClearShield coatings apply by hand with a short-nap or foam roller (usually two coats an hour apart), or via HVLP spray gun. The StarLam formulation is made for automated roll-to-roll laminators. Wall Armor and Classic Lite suit all three methods.
Are these coatings suitable for outdoor use?
Yes. ClearShield coatings use advanced UV inhibitors and HALS stabilisers for long-term outdoor durability, protecting against fading and weathering on banners, vehicle graphics and building signage.
What inks are they compatible with?
ClearShield is designed for digital print. Wall Armor, for example, is compatible with latex, eco-solvent and UV-curable inks. Because compatibility varies by product and media, always check the product info sheet and pre-test on your specific print.
Do you supply the StarLam laminator too?
Yes — the ClearShield StarLam coating is designed to pair with the Marabu StarLam Liquid Laminator. Ask us about automated liquid laminating for wide-format production, or see our digital finishing page.
Talk to a finishing specialist
From protecting a single canvas run to setting up automated liquid laminating for wide-format production, our team can match the right ClearShield coating and application method to your prints — backed by local supply and support across Australia and New Zealand.
Product descriptions, mix ratios and application guidance are indicative and current as at the time of publishing — contact us for current pricing, availability and lead times. Always read the ClearShield product information and safety data sheets before use, and follow the recommended mixing, application and drying guidance. Coating performance varies with media and ink, so pre-testing is recommended.
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