A field treatment is a regular pattern, done in a contrasting tincture on a field, and considered part of the tincture.  Unlike diapering, which is an artistic flourish, a field treatment adds heraldic difference.  Treatments may also be applied to the tincture of a charge.

At one time, Society heraldry recognized several field treatments; many of these, as a result of later research, are no longer permitted.  For specific entries, see honeycombed, maily, masoning, papellony, scaly.  For related items, see fretty, grillage, plumetty, semy.