Objective To improve water resistance of water-based varnish. Methods Through blending hard emulsion and soft emulsion in different proportions, wax emulsion and water-soluble resin solution were mixed to the emulsion using the mechanical blending method. Results When the ratio of hard emulsion and soft emulsion was 8 : 2, water adsorption of the coating film surface was minimal. Adding wax emulsion and water-soluble resin solution to the mixed emulsion will reduce the amount of water absorption of the coating film surface. Conclusion Blending hard emulsion and soft emulsion can effectively improve the water resistance of water-based varnish, and the addition of wax emulsion and water-soluble resin solution can also improve the water resistance of water-based varnish.