Abstract: A roller shade material, such as 100% polyester, is passed through a bath, so that both sides of the material are coated by the bath. In a preferred embodiment, the bath includes an acrylic polymer finish, and a melamine-formaldehyde cross-linking agent. The acrylic polymer preferably is approximately 45% solid, and comprises about 47% to 48% of the bath by weight. The cross-linking agent preferably comprises about 2.5% of the bath by weight, and is about 80% solid material. The bath should have a pH in the basic range between about 7 and 9.5, and the preferred base used to adjust the pH is N,N-Diethylethanolamine. Optional compounds that may be added to the bath include an anti-stick compound and a defoaming agent. This treatment produces a roller shade having a clear coating that allows the color, texture and weave of the substrate to show, without hindering the ability of light to pass through the material.