A transparent substrate having a glare reducing diffuser surface coating on its outer surface forms a faceplate for attachment to a screen for a cathode ray tube or other display device. The coating has a gloss less than about 80 gloss units, and the substrate may include an index matching adhesive/medium for attaching said faceplate to a cathode ray tube screen. The diffuser surface coated substrate is bendable, overcoatable with functional coatings such as transparent conductor coatings, abrasion resistant, and generally serviceable for its intended use.