What is Shellac? Lac is the resinous secretion of lac insect Laccifer (Lachardia) Lacca Kerr (Fam. Coccidae) (*01) parasitic on certain trees in Legminosae and Moraceae (*02) plant. It forms the resinous layers like stick making the lumps around the twigs, and is called Sticklac (*03). Sticklac is crushed, sieved and removed insect bodies, pieces of twigs and water soluble dye, etc. by washing, and is named Seedlac (*04). Lac dye is the water soluble coloring matter refined, and is used as food colors, dye. Shellac (*05) is a polyester resin refined from Seedlac.
Shellac manufacturing Ordinary Shellac is produced either by a process of filtration in the molten state and by solvent process (*06). Ordinary Shellac may retain most of its wax or be dewaxed, and may contain lesser amounts of the natural color than originally present. Bleached (White) Shellac is prepared by dissolving the Lac in aqueous sodium carbonate, bleaching the solution with sodium hypochlorite and precipitating the Bleached Shellac with hydrochloric acid. Removal of the wax, by filtration, during the process results in Bleached Dewaxed Shellac (*07).
Character of Shellac
1.	Shellac is the only thermo-setting resin as natural resin.
2.	It is soluble well in alcohol in the normal temperature, and melt easily for heating, but not influenced to heat and solvents after once curing.
3.	Strong oil resistance.
4.	Nonconductor of electricity.
5.	Excellent abrasion resistance.
6.	After coating the varnish, the thin film of Shellac forms the smooth surface that is rich in abrasion resistance, adhesion and durability.
7.	It is insoluble in water and many of solvents except alcohol.