Graphic Arts Merit Badge

Seven requirements, with the design of requirement 3 drawn as the prerequisite of printing it in requirement 4, and the printing process (ONE of four) and the visit (ONE of four) drawn as questions.

8 steps (10 parts inside them). 8 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 8 October 2026 · About Graphic Arts Merit Badge

No questions answered

This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the 2 questions at the address above takes out the parts that are not for you.

Which of this applies to you

You have not answered anything yet, so this is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering 2 short questions will take out the parts that are not for you.

Answer the questions

The steps

Stage 1 of 8

1 step

1. The printing processes, with samples or diagrams Requirement

Review with your counselor offset lithography, screen printing, electronic/digital, relief and gravure. Collect samples of three products, each produced by a different process, or draw diagrams to help with your description.

Stage 2 of 8

1 step

2. Continuous tone, line and halftone artwork; digital images Requirement

Explain the differences, and describe how digital images can be created and/or stored in a computer.

Stage 3 of 8

1 step

3. Design a printed piece Requirement

A flyer, T-shirt, program, form, etc. Explain your typefaces and the way you arrange the elements, and which printing process is best suited to it. If desktop publishing is available, identify the hardware and software appropriate for outputting it.

Stage 4 of 8

1 step

4. Print your design. Do ONE process Requirement

Produce the design you created for requirement 3 using one of four printing processes.

Usually comes after 3. Design a printed piece.
4 parts
- 4(a). Offset lithography: at least 50 copies Optional May not apply Often forgotten
- 4(b). Screen printing: at least 20 copies Optional May not apply
- 4(c). Electronic/digital printing: 50 copies Optional May not apply
- 4(d). Relief printing: 50 copies Optional May not apply On the Hub, the wording of 4(d), relief printing, repeats 4(c), electronic/digital printing, word for word: "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." Ask your counselor what they expect for relief printing.

Stage 5 of 8

1 step

5. Postpress operations Requirement

Two parts: finishing and binding.
2 parts
- 5(a). Padding, drilling, cutting and trimming
- 5(b). Five types of binding

Stage 6 of 8

1 step

6. A visit. Do ONE, then describe its highlights Requirement

The badge states the choice of four.
4 parts
- 6(a). Visit a newspaper printing plant Optional May not apply
- 6(b). Visit a retail, commercial or in-plant printing facility Optional May not apply
- 6(c). Visit a school's graphic arts program Optional May not apply
- 6(d). Visit three graphic arts websites Optional May not apply Often forgotten

Stage 7 of 8

1 step

7. Three careers in graphic arts, one researched Requirement

Find out about three career opportunities. Pick one and find out the education, training and experience required. Discuss it with your counselor, and explain why it might interest you.

Stage 8 of 8

1 step

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. The printing processes, with samples or diagrams, 2. Continuous tone, line and halftone artwork; digital images and 5 others.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.

This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.