Purpose This paper aims to prepare acrylic functional ricinoleic acid monomer and incorporate it in conventional miniemulsion polymerization. Subsequently, paints were formulated to study the variation in final coating properties. Design/methodology/approach Synthesis process involved the esterification of ricinoleic acid with 2-hydroxy methyl methacrylate in the presence of FASCAT-4100 catalyst. The final product of the reaction, methacrylated ricinoleic acid (MRA), was confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and determining acid and iodine value. Further, MRA was incorporated in various concentrations (1, 2 and 3 Wt.%) along with methyl acrylate and butyl acrylate in conventional miniemulsion polymerization and paints were formulated thereof. Findings It was observed that with the addition of MRA monomer, flexibility of emulsion films increased as indicated by glass transition temperature and elongation value (percentage). Moreover, with the addition of MRA monomer, improvement in mechanical and chemical properties of the coatings was observed. Research limitations/implications Even a low concentration MRA monomer (as low as 3 per cent) caused a significant reduction in the glass transition temperature of emulsion films. Thus, it can be efficiently used in applications such as adhesives and elastomeric coatings. Originality/value The acrylic functional monomer derived from ricinoleic acid is unique and not yet incorporated in miniemulsion polymerization. The synthesized monomer can be used in coatings where low Tg emulsions are required.