Graphic Arts
Resources
- Graphic Arts Class Preparation Page
- Graphic Arts Workbook
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Merit Badge Advancement Quick Reference
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Acknowledgement Form
Graphic Arts Requirements Current Scouts BSA requirements
as of March 8, 2025
as of March 8, 2025
1.
Review with your counselor the processes for producing printed
communications: offset 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 you with your
description.
2.
Explain the differences between continuous tone, line, and halftone
artwork. Describe how digital images 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 stitch, case.
6.
Do ONE of the following, and 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 websites (with your parent or guardian's permission) that
belong to graphic arts professional organizations and/or
printing-related companies (suppliers, manufacturers, printers). With
permission from your parent, guardian 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.
