The following notes are for your guidance. The "do’s" and "don’ts" may sound a little daunting, but the process is simple.
If you have any queries at all please don’t hesitate to contact us.

1. Whilst there is no legal obligation to REGISTER or LIST any design, it's strongly recommended that - prior to any weaving or other reproduction - your tartan is submitted, either to the National Archives of Scotland for REGISTRATION in the new Scottish Register of Tartan or submitted to us for free checking and inclusion in our existing International Tartan Index. This will allow us to ensure its originality in both name and design. If the tartan meets these criteria then it will be included in the ITI.

2. If the tartan submitted does not meet these criteria then the applicant will be notified that it has not been Listed because of its close similarity to an existing sett. In this case the Authority will be happy to provide suggestions for the applicant’s consideration.

3. Woven samples. The STA differs from the new Scottish Register in that we insist on the provision of a woven sample within a reasonable time of the tartan's first free inclusion in the ITI. That period is usually 3 months unless an extension is requested. If the final use for the tartan is not in the woven form but for graphic use, then we request an example of the medium in which it has been used. The reason for these stipulations is to ensure that each tartan entered is destined for a serious use and is not just a design exercise.  It is important to stress that the Authority will not include new tartan designs where no commercial production or use has taken place or is intended to take place.

4. If a tartan is woven then the sample should be a minimum of 18cms x 23cms (7 inches x 9 inches). The sample should be taken from material that has been commercially woven and the Authority will not accept samples that have been specially handwoven on craft looms just for the purpose of complying with our request. If in doubt - just ask us and we'll be happy to advise.

5. For tartan printed on fabric or other media, a sample showing the complete set should be submitted. If the nature of the medium precludes this, advice should be sought from the Authority.

6. Any statement by the Authority of the apparent uniqueness of a design can only be based on the available information and the Authority cannot be responsible for predating duplications subsequently being found.

7. If the tartan is a new pattern intended for use by the whole of the name i.e. all those who bear the name or recognised variations of the name, this application must be submitted to and supported by the clan chief or head of the family or main cadet or, in the absence of either, the Clan Society. Documentary evidence of such support must accompany the application. In the absence of any such evidence, the applicant has no authority to claim that the tartan is the sole tartan for individuals of that name and its variations. Without such authority a pattern can only be listed as a tartan that individuals of that name and its variations are welcome to wear.

8. Similarly, tartans named after countries, states, provinces, districts, towns, cities, companies, or implying a connection with central or local government or with public or community initiatives etc., must likewise be accompanied by a letter of authority from the relevant central or local government department or initiative, etc. Without such authority the tartan cannot be included in the name applied for on the application. The Authority reserves the right to refuse acceptance to tartans whose name:

a. may cause confusion or is contrary to public policy in being unethical, rude or abusive.
b. makes claims that cannot be substantiated.
c. is a thinly disguised advertising slogan.
d. is greater in length than 32 characters (including spaces).

9. All tartans entered into the International Index are considered to be in the public domain and the Authority reserves the right to show and/or reproduce any pattern in published works or any database or computer software program adopted by the Authority for use on its website and/or for sale to the public.

All correspondence and enquiries should also be addressed to:

Scottish Tartans Authority, Fraser House, Muthill Road, CRIEFF, Perthshire. PH7 4HQ. Scotland.

Tel: +44 (0) 1764 655 444 Fax: +44 (0) 1764 65 4242 Mobile: +44 (0) 7785 78 48 96 e-mail: admin@tartansauthority.com