Shellac is an excretion originating from female lac insect (Kerria Lacca). the species of tree as well as the age of the lac insect affect the colour of the shellac, which can range from a light shade of yellow, almost see-through to a dark red.
when dissolved in denatured alcohol, small floating particles are deposited on the ground. This process takes a few weeks after which the shellac is ready to be used.