Biobased and biodegradable polyesters have high potential in compostable paper coatings as replacements for non-degradable polymers. The metrics for a successful coating include sufficient oil and water resistance and good surface properties. By tuning the polymer architecture, a wide range of coating properties can be accessed. This research aims to eliminate toxic solvents in polymeric coatings for paper and single-use, compostable packaging. In pursuit of this goal, biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) was synthesized from bio-based 1,4-butanediol and succinic acid. Branched poly(butylene succinate-co-citric acid), more flexible poly(butylene-co-hexamethylene succinate), and amorphous poly(butylene-succinate-co-furandicarboxylic acid) were also synthesized by incorporating citric acid, 1,6-hexanediol, and furandicarboxylic acid respectively. The chemical structure, thermal properties and crystallization behaviors of these polymers were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The resulting polymers showed good thermal stability and tunable crystallinity by varying monomers and monomer amounts. Additionally, stable latexes from these polymers were prepared by mini-emulsion. Coatings were created from both polymeric latexes and bulk melts by a doctor blade coating. The morphologies of films were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that good films were formed both from aqueous suspension and bulk melt, and film properties could be tuned by polymer structures. These results illustrate the potential of polymeric coatings to eliminate chlorinated solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) typically used in the coatings industry.