Lac extract yields crimsons to burgundy reds to deep purples. The colours are similar to those from cochineal but warmer, softer, and more muted.
Lac (Laccifer lacca) extract comes from a scale insect known from antiquity throughout India, Southeast Asia, Nepal and China. The deep red colorant is extracted from a hard resinous crude shellac before it can be successfully used as a dye. So the resin is known as shellac. Lac dye was used to colour silk and dye leather.
Lac extract obtains pinks, purples and burgundy reds on protein fibres using an alum mordant. However, you will need a small amount of citric acid to use with lac. 50g of lac extract will dye approximately 500g of fibre.
