Carmine is a brilliant red pigment prepared from cochineal, which is the dried wingless females of a species of coccus, a small insect found on several species of cactus. The coloring matter is extracted with boiling water to which alum or some other metallic salt is added to bring about precipitation. When washed and dried it is ready for use.

The various red lakes sold under the name of purple, crimson, or scarlet lakes are made from cochineal by precipitating cochineal extract with solutions of potassium carbonate and alum. Carmine lakes, while very beautiful, have a tendency to fade or turn brown, thus losing their brilliancy. They are used to some extent in oil and japan and as fresco colors.