When placed in the world, the player can see the name of the schematic by looking at it, except for when multiple schematics are stacked on top of a block. Schematics appear to be ancient scrolls of some kind, with each main category of schematic having a differently coloured scroll, as well as each schematic having a binding of a unique colour keeping the scroll rolled up.
In order from left to right: single schematic, a maximum pile of 6 schematics and two schematics hanging on a Rack This info is also displayed in a tooltip of a schematic. Some schematics have an 'intricate' attribute which requires them to be placed on top of the workbench to take effect. When stacked on top of a block, schematics can be picked up with a single left click. Only one schematic can be placed on top of a Workbench at a time. Up to 6 schematics can be stacked on 1 block. Schematics can be placed on the side of any solid block individually, or stacked together on top of a solid block.
To use a schematic, it must be placed on a Workbench or within a 5x5 horizontal area of the Workbench, either at 1 or 2 y levels above the Workbench.