Graphic Arts Merit Badge...Out Dated?

[EagleBoy62204]

I am a new councilor for this badge. I have found a slight problem with this badge. Since it was last updated back in the 90s technology in this profession has inclined greatly and most of the techniques in the requirement listed below are outdated. I have visited several graphic design companies, and talked with several of my teachers ( i am majoring in graphic design ) and they have said they only use one method which is the digital method. I have found one company that does do it, but printing it this way is very expensive because they do not use it often to keep their basis of the way they run their company around this way.

Below are the techniques that I am talking about. This is for requirement number 4 in the graphic arts merit badge.

Produce the design you created for requirement 3 using one of the following printing processes:

**----> 1. Offset lithography
Make a layout and then produce a plate using a process approved by your counselor. Run the plate and print at least 50 copies.
**----> 2. Screen process 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.
3. Electronic/digital printing
Make 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.
**----> 4. Relief printing
Prepare a layout or set the necessary type. Make a plate or lock up the form. Use this to print 50 copies.


Does anyone have any suggestions about how to approach this with the scout?

[Mrw]

My son just did a bunch of that stuff in his Graphics class in school. He is meeting with a counselor on Thursday to finish the badge.

[Scouting179]

BSA is in the process of updating every merit badge. It's a 5-year plan and I think this is the 2nd year. Hopefully this will fix your problem for the long term, but for now, I'd "adjust" them as best you see fit.

[PaulSWolf]

BSA is in the process of updating every merit badge. It's a 5-year plan and I think this is the 2nd year. Hopefully this will fix your problem for the long term, but for now, I'd "adjust" them as best you see fit.

Actually, this is somewhere around year 7 of the "5 year plan", but in general, you're correct that they are working on updating all the badges. There are still 10 badges that were last revised before 1990, and 28 older than Graphic Arts, but that means over 75% have been revised since then, so it shouldn't be too much longer. (I note that American Heritage, which hadn't been revised since it was introduced for the bicentenial in 1976, was just revised in the past few weeks).

As for "adjusting" - you can adjust so long as you meet the written requirements as they now exist. You can NOT substitute other techniques. or omit anything. However, you left out the line above those 4 methods which says

Produce the design you created for requirement 3 using one of the following printing processes:

So just encourage the Scouts to use the Digital method.

[Scouting179]

Good suggestion Paul!

[diamondbackAPL]

is photography going to be updated soon? I have the '95 book, and was wondering if I should try to earn it soon before the book becomes obsolete.

[PaulSWolf]

is photography going to be updated soon? I have the '95 book, and was wondering if I should try to earn it soon before the book becomes obsolete.

I would assume it will be updated soon. It's near the top of the list of old requirements (tied with 5 others at 15th) and old booklets (11th)

The current booklet really won't be "obsolete", but it won't have the most up to date information. I would assume there will be a lot on digital photography in the new one, of course. Keep in mind that once you start oin any badge, you can use those requirements until you finish (or turn 18 ), even if new requirements are issued.