speckling

Speckling is a pattern characterized by numerous small spots or flecks that contrast with a background color or texture. The specks may be of a different color, material, or translucency, and they can be arranged randomly or follow a deliberate design. The term is used across disciplines to describe both natural patterns and artificial effects.

In nature, speckling occurs in many organisms and surfaces, where small spots serve camouflage, signaling, or species recognition. Examples include the speckled appearance of many bird and insect markings and the flecked coloration seen on certain fish and shells. In plants and soils, speckling can describe variegation or mineral deposits.

In art, crafts, and design, speckling is a deliberate decorative technique. It appears in textiles with flecked yarns or printed fabrics, and in pottery and glazes that incorporate iron-rich or other mineral flecks to create a speckled surface. Painting and DIY finishes may employ flicking, spattering, or stippling to produce random specks.

In manufacturing and coatings, speckling may refer to a surface defect where small particles or dust create flecks on a coated surface, or to intentional flecked finishes that add texture and visual interest. In imaging and optics, speckle describes a granular interference pattern produced by coherent light scattering from rough surfaces, a phenomenon known as laser speckle, which can affect image quality but is sometimes used artistically or scientifically as a measurement tool.