Graphic Arts

Graphic Arts requirements

1. Review with your counselor the processes for producing printed communications: lithography, screen printing, electronic/digital, relief, and gravure. Collect samples of three products, each one produced using a different printing process, or draw diagrams to help with your description.
2. Explain the differences between continuous tone, line, and halftone artwork. Describe how it can be created and/or stored in a computer.
3. Design a printed piece (flier, T-shirt, program, form, etc.) and produce it. Explain your decisions for the typeface or typefaces you use and the way you arrange the elements in your design. Explain which printing process is best suited for printing your design. If desktop publishing is available, identify what hardware and software would be appropriate for outputting your design.
4. Produce the design you created for requirement 3 using one of the following printing processes:

   a. Offset lithography

   Make a layout and produce a plate using a process approved by your counselor. Run the plate and print at least 50 copies.

   b. Screen printing

   Make a hand-cut or photographic stencil and attach it to a screen that you have prepared. Mask the screen and print at least 20 copies.

   c. Electronic/digital printing

   Create a layout in electronic form, download it to the press or printer, and run 50 copies. If no electronic interface to the press or printer is available, you may print and scan a paper copy of the layout.

   d. Relief printing

   Prepare a layout or set the necessary type. Make a plate or lock up the form. Use this to print 50 copies.

5. Review the following postpress operations with your counselor:

   a. Discuss the finishing operations of padding, drilling, cutting, and trimming.

   b. Collect, describe, or identify examples of the following types of binding: perfect, spiral, plastic comb, saddle stitched, and case.

6. Do ONE of the following, then describe the highlights of your visit:

   a. Visit a newspaper printing plant: Follow a story from the editor to the press.

   b. Visit a retail, commercial, or in-plant printing facility: Follow a project from beginning to end.

   c. Visit a school’s graphic arts program: Find out what courses are available and what the prerequisites are.

   d. Visit three Web sites (with your parent’s permission) that belong to graphic arts professional organizations and/or printing-related companies (suppliers, manufacturers, printers): With permission from your parent or counselor, print out or download product or service information from two of the sites.

7. Find out about three career opportunities in graphic arts. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2016 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #621535)

A FREE workbook for Graphic Arts is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Graphic Arts requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many boys have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)