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Raw lacquer is the natural sap tapped from the lacquer tree. Its main component, urushiol, dries to a film that is hard, durable, acid- and moisture-resistant, and lasts a thousand years — a natural material hard to replace with synthetic coatings. Lacquering techniques, inscribed on China's national representative list of intangible cultural heritage, are carried by natural lacquer. The drawback is that drying depends on temperature and humidity (around 25°C and 80% humidity), and raw lacquer can cause allergies, so protection is needed when working with it.

Start with the "Chinese Lacquer Starter Kit", which contains five coloured lacquers, tools and an illustrated guide, enough to finish beginner pieces such as a round fan or lacquer beads. With some grounding in wooden bodies and cloth backing, move on to raw large-tree lacquer and tile-ash ground work. The lacquer bead handmade kit is another option — no prior experience needed.

Seal it and store it in a cool, dark place (5–25°C is recommended), away from heat and direct sun. If a skin forms on the surface, remove the film and stir well; the lacquer is still usable. Shelf life is generally 12 months or more, and the higher the urushiol content, the more stable it is. Once opened, use it within three months if possible.

Some people develop "lacquer bite" (an allergic rash) on contact with raw lacquer; this is a normal reaction. Wear gloves and long sleeves and keep the workspace ventilated. If a reaction occurs, traditional remedies such as camphor lotion or Chinese chive juice may ease it; seek medical attention in serious cases. Once dry, lacquerware no longer causes any reaction and is safe to use.

Hand lacquering requires each coat to cure in a humid chamber, so one piece takes about 45 days. Custom gift boxes start at 10 boxes, with logo engraving, greeting inscriptions and bespoke box design; orders of 100 boxes or more qualify for tiered pricing. We recommend ordering two months ahead to reserve production time.

Yes. Every batch of raw lacquer can be supplied with a third-party test report (urushiol content, moisture content and other indicators). Corporate bank transfers are accepted and VAT invoices issued; universities and museums may apply for samples first.