NATURAL LAC DYE

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Lac dye red powder in a glass jar with a metal clasp on a white wooden shelf
Lac dye powder on white timber floorboards
showing the lac insect
A skein of lac dyed yak and wool yarn with a label on white timber floor boards
a skein of red lac dyed wool yarn with a label on white timber floor boards

Natural Lac Dye Powder

Kerria lacca · Thailand · Concentrated Insect-Derived Dye

Create wine reds, burgundies, violets and warm reddish-browns with this concentrated natural lac dye from Thailand.

Lac produces softer, more wine-like reds than the bright crimson commonly associated with cochineal. Its colour responds to mordants, pH, fibre and dye concentration, offering shades from violet and burgundy through red to warm brown.

Lac has a long history as a textile dye across Asia and is particularly associated with the deep crimson and burgundy shades found in traditional Himalayan textiles.

At a glance

  • Origin: Thailand

  • Dye source: Lac insect

  • Accepted species name: Kerria lacca

  • Older synonym: Coccus lacca Kerr

  • Form: Concentrated lac dye powder

  • Main colourants: Laccaic acids

  • Colours: Violet, burgundy, wine red, crimson and reddish-brown

  • Best suited to: Wool and silk

  • Cellulose fibres: Possible with suitable preparation and mordanting

  • Mordant: Optional at lower concentrations; alum recommended for stronger dye applications or improved consistency

  • Colourfastness: Good to excellent when suitably prepared, dyed and finished

  • Animal origin: Insect-derived and not vegan

Natural Lac Dye and Lac Dye Extract

Natural Lac Dye and Lac Dye Extract are the same product. They are listed in two different shop categories for convenience—one under natural dyes and one under extracts - but both listings contain the same concentrated lac dye powder from Thailand.

What is lac dye?

Lac dye is obtained from scale insects that live on the branches of suitable host trees.

During cultivation, branches carrying young insects are attached to host trees. The insects colonise the branches and produce a protective resinous secretion. The harvested material is known as stick lac.

Stick lac is crushed, washed and processed to separate the red laccaic-acid colourants from the resin. The remaining resin can be refined into seed lac and shellac, while the separated colour is prepared as lac dye.

This product is the concentrated dye powder - not shellac varnish or raw stick lac.

How much to use

For a medium to strong shade on wool, begin with:

3–5g lac dye per 100g dry fibre

This is equivalent to 3–5% WOF - weight of dry fibre.

Smaller amounts can produce softer pink, mauve and rose shades. The final result depends on the fibre, mordant, water chemistry, pH, dye quantity, temperature and length of time in the bath.

For applications above approximately 5% WOF, or when greater consistency is desired, mordant wool with approximately 10–15% alum WOF.

Sample first when working towards a particular colour.

Basic guide for wool

  1. Prepare: Scour the wool thoroughly and wet it before dyeing.

  2. Mordant (if required): Lac can colour wool without a separate mordant at lower concentrations. For applications above approximately 5% WOF, or if preferred, mordant with 10–15% alum WOF.

  3. Dissolve: Mix the lac dye powder thoroughly with warm water, breaking up any lumps, and add it to the dye pot.

  4. Dye: Add the thoroughly wetted wool. Heat the bath gradually and bring it to a gentle simmer.

  5. Hold: Maintain gentle heat for approximately one hour. Move the fibre carefully to encourage even colour.

  6. Steep: Turn off the heat and leave the wool in the cooling dye bath overnight for greater depth, if suitable for your project.

  7. Rinse: Remove the fibre and rinse thoroughly until the water is reasonably clear.

  8. Finish: Wash gently using a fibre-appropriate cleanser and allow to air-dry away from strong, direct sunlight.

Protein and cellulose fibres require different preparation. When dyeing cotton, linen or hemp, use an appropriate tannin and mordanting method.

Dyeing cotton, linen or other cellulose fibres? Find suitable mordanting methods here.

Tips from the dye pot

Tip Details
Expect mature reds Lac produces wine, burgundy and violet-red shades rather than the brighter red commonly associated with cochineal.
Consider mordanting At lower concentrations, lac can colour wool without a separate mordant. Alum can improve consistency and influence the final shade.
Adjust pH carefully Changes in pH can move the colour through violet, burgundy and warmer reds. Make gradual adjustments and test first.
Use gentle heat Heat the bath gradually and allow enough room for the fibre to move freely.
Steep for depth Leaving the fibre in the cooling bath overnight can help deepen the shade.
Reuse the bath The remaining dye bath may colour additional fibre, creating successively paler exhaust shades.
Keep notes Record the fibre, mordant, pH, dye percentage, temperature and processing time.

Colourfastness

Lac can produce good to excellent colourfastness on wool and silk when the fibre is suitably prepared and the dye is properly applied and finished.

Performance varies according to the fibre, mordant, depth of shade, pH, dyeing method and aftercare. Cellulose fibres generally require more careful preparation.

Sample and test finished work when colourfastness is particularly important.

An insect-derived dye

Lac dye is obtained from lac insects and is therefore an animal-derived colourant.

It is not suitable for vegan projects. Customers wishing to avoid insect-derived materials should choose a plant- or mineral-derived dye instead.

Storage and safe handling

  • Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

  • For textile dyeing and craft use only.

  • Not for consumption or use in food, drinks, cosmetics or medicinal preparations.

  • Avoid creating or breathing fine powder.

  • Prevent contact with eyes, mouth and open wounds.

  • Wear gloves and suitable protective equipment when handling fine powder.

  • Lac dye may cause irritation or an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals.

  • Follow the safety instructions for all mordants, acids and modifiers used.

  • Use dedicated dyeing utensils and containers—never food-preparation equipment.

  • Keep away from food and out of reach of children and pets.

For textile dyeing and craft use only - not for consumption.

What you receive

Your chosen net weight of concentrated lac dye powder supplied in a pouch.

Mordants, vinegar and other dyeing supplies are sold separately.

Packaging

We pack as sustainably as we can while protecting your dye materials. Pouch types may vary according to pack size and the availability of our preferred lower-impact options.

Display jars are not included.

Learn with us

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your results, ask questions and explore natural colour alongside fellow natural dyers and dye-plant growers.


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