Lac Natural Dye Powder

 Botanical Name: Laccifer lacca

Common name: Lac, Shellac, Stick Lac

Colorant: Laccaic acid

Dye type: Adjective dye (requires mordants for better color fastness)

Shade Range: Produces shades ranging from bright crimson and burgundy reds to deep purples. The color is sensitive to pH levels; acidic conditions yield reds, while alkaline conditions shift the color towards purples​.

Mordant Requirements: Alum is commonly used for vibrant reds on protein fibers like silk and wool. For plant fibers like cotton, tannin is needed before applying an alum mordant to achieve better fastness​.

Fastness: Lac dye provides good lightfastness and washfastness on protein fibers, but the fastness on cellulose fibers is reduced without proper mordanting​​.

Common Uses: Popular in traditional textile dyeing, particularly for wool, silk, and occasionally cotton. It is also valued for its eco-friendly properties and is still used in modern sustainable dyeing practices​​.

Country of Origin: India, Southeast Asia, Nepal, Bhutan

Vegetarian product: No (insect-based)