These directions are specifically for use in the Kingdom of Northshield (NS, SD, MN, WI, the U.P. of MI and Manitoba), but many of these guidelines are applicable for use anywhere in the SCA.
It is highly recommended that you talk to your friendly, neighborhood herald with your device idea befor submitting it to Compass Herald. They can help you figure out if the design is SCA appropriate and they can also look at the Ordinary and Armorial to see if it is different enough from existing devices to be registerable. If you don't know any Heralds, please feel free to contact any Kingdom Herald. They are listed on the Northshield College of Heralds website.
Print out the Device Submission Form. This can be found off of the Northshield College of Heralds website.
Note: When printing, set Paper Scaling to NONE.
Fill out the contact information requested at the top of the page. Make sure to check the correct box in regards to if this is a new submission or a resubmission.
If you've submitted your name previously, please mark the correct box. It is most helpful to Compass Herald to include when you submitted your name.
Draw your desired device on the sheild blank provided. It is important that it matches the size exactly! (Don't ask me why, I don't know!)
Note: If you are drawing challenged like I am, there are a couple easy ways to do this:
Find someone who can draw and ask them to help you.
Use the Pennsic Traceable Art Project (or similar website) to get pictures of the charges you're interested in. Then trace them onto the submission form.
Create your device using a graphics program on your computer (i.e. Paint Shop Pro, Paint, etc.). If you do this, DO NOT print colored copies!! Almost all color printer ink on the market today has the tendency to not stay true to the original and desired color. Purple can become brown, black becomes blue, etc.
Make at least five copies. You'll need to hand in one black and white outline drawing and three colored in copies. The fifth copy is for your records!
Once you have your image on your form, color it in. It is recommended to use Crayola Classic Markers (not Washable), since these are tried and true to now change color over time. You can use other artist-quality markers in the primary color pallete.
Mail in the outline drawing and the three colored in copies to Keythong Herald with the submission fee ($5).
Wait 8-12 months for a reply! Remember, no news is good news. It can take upwards of a year for your submission to go from Kingdom-level commentary to Society-level commentary to the Letter of Acceptance and Returns. Patience is a virtue, and the Heralds love to try it. *grin*