Palekh: This village was part of the old Vladimir-Suzdal region, which was the very birthplace of Russian icon painting. The village dates back to the 14th Century, when monks fleeing the invading Mongol hordes set up a community. Palekh boxes are done in egg-tempera, the same technique used to "write" icons. In this technique, the yolk of an egg is used in a mixture of kvass or vinegar, along with pigments for color. Palekh boxes are extremely unique and magical. They specialize in detail and the tiniest of work is exquisite - often being painted with a single wolf’s hair. Often, Palekh boxes have the Firebird symbol on them, although this is not always so. Gold is often used on the boxes, as well as aluminum rather than silver, because silver turns yellow at high temperatures.

Fedoskino: The work of this village is instantly recognizable because it is the only one of the four to paint in oils. Gold, as well as mother-of-pearl plaque, metal foil, and preparations powdered with metal dust are used as a foundation rather than for highlights. Fedoskino boxes have a translucent appearance, due to a technique of many layers of oil paints, called glazes, with each layer having its own layers of lacquer applied.

Mstiora: In crafting Mstiora boxes, the paint is prepared much the same way as the Palekh boxes are, though one difference is that the pigments for the colors were often ground from small colored pebbles from the Mstiorka River, which runs through the village. The overall effect of the boxes is that of a Persian tapestry, with faces on the boxes being somewhat cartoonish, and lack the realism of Palekh or Kholui. Use of gold is usually avoided, except in borders, which are usually intricate.

Kholui: The last of the lacquer production centers to organize, it has a reputation and tradition for experimentation. As with Palekh and Mstiora, tempera is used, with a preference for yellows, reds, and browns. Faces are often very detailed, figures larger, and the work has a more realistic look than that of the other tempera villages. Gold is used sparingly, except on intricate borders, much like Mstiora boxes.

Other Centers: There also were a few smaller, less well-known centers, such as Agidel and Lipetsk. It is important to note that with Perestroika and the break-up of the USSR, many of the masters are painting privately, and cooperatives have broken away from the village artels. As a result, there is no longer a centralized control over the production quality or exportation of lacquer boxes.