Graphene's high resistivity can make durable coatings that do not crack and are resistant to water and oil; its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity can be used to make various conductive paints, and a strong barrier effect can contribute to extraordinary anti-oxidant, scratch-resistant and anti-UVA coatings.

Graphene enables a wide array of functional coatings and paints, for many possible applications. Among these can be high performance adhesives enabled by graphene's high adhesion property, anti-bacterial coatings, solar paints (capable of absorbing solar energy and transmitting it), paints that provide isolation for houses, anti-rust coatings, anti-fog paints and UV ray blockers, non-stick coatings for various domestic applications (like frying pans and countertops) and even a much-hyped possibility (currently under scientific examination) of a coating that turns a regular wall into a screen.

Like other conductive inks, graphene ink can be used to create printed materials which conduct heat and electricity. Modern uses of conductive ink include printing train tickets, plane boarding passes and RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags. It has also made its way into mainstream manufacturing, and is now commonly used for the production of smart packaging.