Shellac is a natural and traditional finishing product used to beautify and protect high-end wooden surfaces. This finish is obtained from a substance secreted by insects called Laccifer lacca or Kerria lacca, also known as Indian cochineal, which feed on the sap of trees such as Ficus and Schleichera, mainly in South and Southeast Asia. 

The collection of lacquer is done by scraping the branches infested with insects and grinding them to extract raw lacquer. This is then dissolved in hot water or alcohol, filtered, and evaporated to obtain a powder or solid flakes of shellac. 

Shellac has been used for centuries in various fields such as wood finishing, cosmetics production, traditional medicine, painting, protective coating for food and medicine, and as an insulator in electronics. 

Once highly valued by cabinetmakers, luthiers, and carpenters, the preparation of shellac simply requires denatured alcohol and a glass jar to place the shellac flakes and alcohol.