Shellac is a natural, alcohol-soluble, flammable resin (based on laccaic acid) that is made from deposits on tree twigs left by the lac insect in southern Asia and India. Shellac has been known in Asia for nearly 4000 years. It was introduced to Europe about 300 years ago, and was described in The Plictho , published in 1540 in Venice. The word shellac is most probably derived from the Indian word laksha (one hundred thousand).

Shellac is the only commercially used natural resin of animal origin and it is quite different from all other natural resins. Lac, a resinous substance secreted by the lac insect (such species as Lakshadia chimensis , Lakshadia communis, Kerria lacca, Tacchardia lacca, or Coccus lacca) is collected from the twigs and young branches of certain trees in southern Asia, including fig species in northern India.

Lac females produce the resinous secretion as a protective coating for their larvae...