A laboratory consumable having a polymeric coating, coating formed by exposing said consumable to pulsed plasma for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the laboratory consumable, said plasma comprising a compound of formula (I) where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification. Consumables of this type show significantly reduced liquid sample retention, maximum sample recovery and ultra non-binding properties, as well as oil and water-repellency.