Lac dye is the scarlet pigment present in the live, pre-emergent insects (Laccifer lacca / Kerria lacca) which develop in a resinous cocoon, known as "sticklac". It is widely known for secreting lac a commercially important scarlet substance that is used for dyeing wool and silk, and also used in cosmetic industry and medicinal drug. Kerria lacca insects inhabit trees in colonies of thousands and secrete the resinous substance. Kerria lacca excreta is used as lac dye. This is a natural red dye and is produce by washing the raw stick lac by water and then precipitating the filtered wash liquor with acid. The main colouring component is carminic acid.the colour of dye can be changed by altering the use of mordants like alum, ferrous etc. it gives different colour range from violet to red brown.
(A) Pre Mordant 1 :- Pre-treat the material with alum 10% of fabric weight at 80°C for 60 mins.
(B) Dyeing :- Add the required amount of dye to the dye bath. pH of dye bath needs to be maintained at pH 5. If it's higher than pH 5 add vinegar, if below pH 5, use lime or soda ash. Stir well to dissolve the dye. Add fabric to the dye bath and maintain at 90°C for 60-80 mins. We check all our natural dyes at 30% of fabric weight, you can amend the percentage as per lighter or darker shade required.
(C) Post Treatment :- Conduct soaping of the dyed material with non-ionic detergent (0.5gpl) at 50°C for 35 mins.
(D) Hot wash and then cold wash the material.
Connecting with us is easy and simple. Just subscribe now!
