Abstract: Coatings may be used to discourage agglomeration and dust formation when handling seeds. Aqueous emulsions suitable for coating seeds and other substrates may comprise an aqueous fluid, a wax, and a polymer blend comprising shellac, a film-forming polymer that is water-soluble or biodegradable, and, optionally, a plasticizer, in which the wax is emulsified as solids in the aqueous fluid and the polymer blend is at least partially dissolved in the aqueous fluid. Optionally, the aqueous emulsions may comprise at least one effect pigment and/or at least one crosslinking agent. The wax and/or the plasticizer may also be naturally sourced as well. Thin-film coatings upon seeds or other substrates may comprise the wax and the polymer blend, in which the shellac is distributed as a continuous phase in the thin-film coating.