Tetrafluoroethane (TFE) pre-deposited paper substrates were exposed to an inert gas (argon) plasma environment in order to convert the hydrophilic to hydrophobic surfaces via grafting and/or cross-linking of the fluorinated layer on the surface of paper, while also improving coating uniformity. The XPS spectrum indicates changes in the nature and relative ratios of the surface functionalities. The application of 300 W RF-power argon plasma (at 10 min and 300 mTorr) created a very highly hydrophobic character (water contact angle, theta = 120 degrees).