Handmade Button Lac (Gala) Supplier from India — Traditional Shellac Discs
Traditional handmade shellac in round button form, also sold as button shellac — the classic grade for premium French polish, instrument finishing and heritage woodwork, prized for depth of colour and film build. Price ₹1,100 – ₹1,300 per kg, MOQ 100 kg.
Button Lac
Button lac (also called button shellac or gala) is shellac in its traditional handmade form: filtered molten lac dropped and cooled into round discs ("buttons") of roughly 5–8 cm. The gentle, low-heat artisanal process preserves a character prized by wood finishers — a deep amber tone and a film that polishes to exceptional warmth.
It remains the reference grade for French polishing, high-end furniture restoration, musical-instrument finishing and heritage joinery, with steady demand from the Middle East and European restoration trades. Compared with machine-made flakes, buttons dissolve slightly slower but reward the user with the classic "button polish" finish that many restorers insist on.
We grade buttons by colour and clarity, pack them for sea freight, and supply the same document set as the rest of our lac line — COA, MSDS and certificate of origin with every shipment.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Form | Round handmade discs, approx. 5–8 cm |
| Colour | Deep amber to reddish brown |
| Process | Traditional filtered, heat-formed |
| Wax content | Typically 3–5% (natural) |
| Solubility | Alcohol-soluble |
| Moisture | Batch-specific — stated on COA |
| Origin | India |
| Standard packing | 25 kg cartons / double-lined bags |
| Minimum order | 100 kg |
| Shelf life | 24 months in cool, dry storage |
| Incoterms | FOB Kolkata / CFR / CIF |
Values shown are typical ranges; a batch-specific COA accompanies every shipment. HS code: 1301 90 99 in India (HS 1301.90 internationally); confirm with your customs broker.
Where Button Lac Is Used
French Polishing
The classic grade for traditional button polish on fine furniture — deep, warm, hand-rubbed finishes.
Musical Instruments
Preferred by luthiers and restorers for violin, guitar and piano finishing.
Heritage Restoration
Specified in conservation work where period-correct materials are required.
Traditional Crafts
Sealing waxes, bangles and artisanal applications across established craft trades.
Samples, Shipping & Documents for Button Lac
| Samples | 100–500 g on request. The courier charge is deducted from your first bulk invoice. |
|---|---|
| Quotation | Price ₹1,100 – ₹1,300 per kg depending on grade. Freight and insurance are added by Incoterm (FOB Kolkata, CFR or CIF) — tell us grade, quantity and destination port and we confirm within 24 hours. |
| By sea | FOB Kolkata, CFR or CIF to your port. |
| Bangladesh | By road via the Petrapole–Benapole border on FCA or DAP terms. See our Bangladesh buyer guide. |
| Vietnam | Certificate of origin Form AI under the ASEAN–India FTA, for reduced import duty. See our Vietnam buyer guide. |
| Documents | COA from a NABL-accredited laboratory, MSDS, technical data sheet, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin; phytosanitary certificate where the destination requires it. |
| Payment | T/T (50% advance for new buyers) or LC at sight. |
| Packing & MOQ | See the specification table above; private-label packing on request. |
Buyer Guides
- Shellac vs Synthetic Coatings: Polyurethane, Lacquer and More
- Shellac for Musical Instrument Finishing
- Shellac & Lac for Heritage Restoration
- Polishes & Leather Finishing
- Exporting to the United Kingdom
- Button lac for French polish: button lac vs shellac flakes
- Shellac Export Documentation from India: Checklist
- Shellac Grades Explained: Which Grade for Which Job
- Button Lac (Gala): A Guide for Bangladeshi Buyers
- Dewaxed vs Waxed Shellac for Wood Finishing
- How Shellac Is Made: From Lac Insect to Export Container
- Shellac for Wood Polish & Furniture — industry guide
- Shellac for Abrasives — industry guide
Or WhatsApp us about Button Lac →
Button Lac — Common Questions
What is gala?
Gala is the South Asian trade name for button lac, the traditional handmade shellac discs. See our button lac (gala) guide.
How is button lac different from shellac flakes?
Button lac is handmade by a traditional low-heat process and formed into discs, while flakes are usually machine-made. Buttons dissolve slightly more slowly and give the deep, warm tone that many French polishers and restorers prefer.
How do I dissolve button lac?
Break the buttons into small pieces and dissolve them in alcohol, stirring occasionally. Expect it to take longer than flakes. Filter the solution before use.
Is button lac food grade?
No. Button lac keeps its natural wax and is a technical grade for finishing and crafts. For food glazing, see E904 food-grade shellac.
Why is button lac preferred for violin and guitar finishing?
Many luthiers and restorers like its deep, warm tone and the way it handles in French polishing. As a waxed shellac it is used as the complete finish, not as a sealer under other topcoats. See button lac vs shellac flakes.
What is the colour of button lac compared with orange shellac?
Button lac is darker: deep amber to reddish brown, where orange shellac is a lighter amber. The exact colour depends on the crop and is stated on the COA.
Buy Button Lac in Bulk
MOQ from 25 kg · Full export documentation · FOB / CFR / CIF from Kolkata & Mumbai · Quotes within 24 hours.