SECURITY ENVELOPE PATTERN CLASSIFICATION
THE S.E.C.R.E.T. GUIDE
WE TAKE A
TAXONOMICAL APPROACH
Drawing inspiration from Linnaean Classification—and indulging in a degree of scholarly mischief—we offer a standardized system for the study of security envelope patterns. The S.E.C.R.E.T. method organizes these often-overlooked forms into Orders, Families, and beyond, for the benefit of envelope enthusiasts everywhere.
SECURITY ENVELOPE TAXONOMY
ALL SECURITY ENVELOPE PATTERNS ARE CLASSIFIED UNDER:
KINGDOM: Stationery (stationeria)
PHYLUM: Envelope (envelopia)
CLASS: Security (obscurifera)
ADDITIONAL PATTERN CLASSIFICATION NOTES:
NUMBER: Numbers are assigned starting with 001 for each Genus.
COMMON NAME: These are not part of the official classification, but for fun.
LATIN NAME: Latin names are chosen based on each pattern’s Common Name.
CODE NAME: This is for organizational purposes. The file structure is assigned thusly: Order_Family_Genus_Species(Color)_Number_Initials of Contributor. We use 3-4 digit abbreviations, which can be referenced in the data archive.
1. DETERMINE ORDER
Patterns lacking representational or geometric structure; typically irregular, fluid, or random in appearance.
Patterns composed of regular, repeating shapes or lines; often exhibiting symmetry and uniform spacing.
Patterns featuring recognizable forms or symbols; may reference objects, letters, or pictographic elements.
2. DETERMINE FAMILY
Once the pattern’s Order is identified, it can then be classified as being one of five identified Families: Dynamic, Organic, Repetitive, Representational, and Woven.
FAMILY
Marked by motion, irregularity, or directional flow; often non-uniform or visually active.
Characterized by natural, curved, or uneven forms; structure appears unmechanical or spontaneous.
Displays strict repetition of elements; typically uniform, patterned, and consistent throughout.
Includes identifiable figures, symbols, or motifs suggestive of real-world objects.
Resembles textile structures or interlaced forms; often grid-based or crosshatched in appearance.
3. DETERMINE GENUS
Once the pattern’s Family is identified, it can then be classified as being one of sixteen identified Genera. Where overlap occurs — as it often will — classification favors the most visually dominant trait of the pattern’s structure.
GENUS
Interlaced patterns resembling woven fibers, typically forming tight, repetitive grids with a tactile visual effect.
Common Confusions: Plaid, Squares.
How to distinguish: Basketweave patterns mimic weaving, while Plaid and Squares have crossbars without the weaving illusion.
Latin: Textrata (from textura – weave, or texture).
Disruptive, irregular patterns that obscure repetition or structure; often visually elusive or hard to focus on.
Latin: Cryptica (from crypticus – hidden, concealed).
Patterns composed of evenly spaced circular forms, typically uniform in size and spacing. These elements may resemble printed seals, loops, or rings, often conveying a sense of intentional placement and repetition.
Common Confusions: Dots.
How to distinguish: Circles are rings, not filled. Dots are often filled and usually smaller.
Latin: Orbiculata (from orbiculous – a small disk, circle).
Scattered, broken shapes resembling fragments or shards; often irregularly dispersed in a festive disarray.
Latin: Confragmenta (from confringere (to shatter + fragmenta (bits)).
Ornamental patterns featuring repeating flourishes, scrolls, or embellishments; non-representational and free of corporate logos or imagery.
Latin: Decorata (from decoratus, adorned or embellished)
Composed of diamond or lozenge-shaped elements; patterns may be tightly tessellated or loosely arranged.
Latin: Rhomboidea (from rhombus, with a classical suffix).
Characterized by evenly or unevenly spaced dots, points, or specks; minimal, yet persistent.
Common Confusions: Circles, Noise.
How to distinguish: Dots are generally compact and opaque; circles are outlines; Noise is irregular in spacing and size.
Latin: Punctata (from punctum – a dot, or point).
Features recurring symbols or icons suggestive of insignias, glyphs, or visual shorthand.
Common Confusions: Illustrative.
How to distinguish: Emblematic patterns function symbolically, not narratively.
Latin: Emblematica (from emblema – symbol, insignia).
Includes pictorial or semi-representational forms with narrative or diagrammatic qualities.
Common Confusions: Emblematic.
How to distinguish: Illustrative Genus tell a story, or represents life scenes. Emblematic patterns represent identity, often in the form of repeating corporate logos.
Latin: Illustrata (from illustratus – illuminated/illustrated).
GENUS
Built from repeated linear elements — straight, angled, or curving — often forming directional flow.
Latin: Lineata (from linea – line).
Net-like or grid-based structures creating a sense of containment, interconnection, or woven overlay.
Latin: Reticulata (from reticulum – a net-like structure).
Seemingly random, chaotic distributions lacking discernible repetition; often mimics visual static or grain.
Common Confusions: Dots, Camouflage.
How to distinguish: Noise lacks order and uniformity; dots are more regular; camouflage has a blending intention and generally larger forms.
Latin: Stochastica (from stochastikos – random).
Intersections of perpendicular lines forming woven or tartan-like grids; often high in density and complexity.
Common Confusions: Basketweave, Squares.
How to distinguish: Plaid emphasizes color and alignment, not texture.
Latin: Quadrilinae (from quadri (four) + linea (lines)).
Structured patterns based on square or rectangular units; frequently arranged in regular grids.
Common Confusions: Plaid, Basketweave.
How to distinguish: Squares are standalone geometric blocks, not made by intersecting lines or weaves.
Latin: Quadrata (from quadratus – square).
Constructed with triangular elements, pointing in uniform or varied directions; often angular and precise.
Latin: Triangulata (from triangulus – triangle).
Organic, flowing lines that imitate the natural striations or rings found in wood or bark.
Latin: Ligniforma (from lignum (wood) + forma (shape/form)).
Undulating or jagged linear forms that oscillate across the field in serpentine motion.
Latin: Serpentica (from serpens – snake-like).