Graphics are available for everyone to create their own “badges”. With this program, we’ll explore different ways you can create your own “badges” from the Enrichment Project’s provided graphics.
NOTE: Graphics without watermarks will be available only by earning them or through the membership site.
Steps
1. Vector.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics
All badges are vector graphics. This means they are created in a drawing program and defined by points, lines and curves. It makes the graphics non-resolution dependent. They can be printed from the size to fit in a bottle cap to fill a billboard and still look good! Learn the differences between vector and raster graphics.
2. Physical display.
Your earned badges can be displayed a variety of ways. As you read through the steps, think of the different ways you’ll be able to display each of the possibilities. Which will work for you? Do you want to wear your badges? Place them for display on a banner or blanket? See the “Crafting Badges” section below for some specific ideas.
3. Web display.
All earned web badges can be placed in your Open Badge backpack, on your blog, online photo album, Facebook page or any other social media site. The standard graphics are available on Flickr for viewing. They can be resized, saved to various formats and sent out on request to fit your needs.
NOTE: Earned badges will have the URL watermark removed from the graphic.
4. Print.
Starting in 2017, each badge program has a printable PDF with the Avery 5294 (or equivalent) layout. These can be printed and used for events and training without additional work for you.
5. Certificates.
Certificates are available for exploring the badge, completing it or for innovating (see “Enrichment Project Innovator” badge program) as follows:
- Discover, tan (3-10 hours)
- Explore, bronze (11-25 hours)
- Connect, silver (26-39 hours)
- Complete, gold (40+ hours)
- Innovator, blue
These sheets can be given to your council (Girl Scouts) or placed in a folder to support your continued dedication to learning. PDFs can be stored as your proof of completion. See the Enrichment Project badge program “My Education and Experience” for more on how additional experience and education can help you.
6. Future.
I am currently exploring ways to provide badges beyond digital. Until I find a way that’s price-effective and not too work-intensive, we’ll be sticking with digital badges and printable certificates. Have ideas? Let me know!
Crafting Badges
7. Iron-Ons.
Purchase and print iron-on sheets specific for your printer. Iron-ons can be placed on any fabric. The coolest t-shirt I saw looked like a sash was stenciled on the shirt and the badges placed on the sash from Woot.
Fabric items you can attach iron-ons to include:
- Shirts
- Vests
- Sashes
- Pendants
- Ribbons
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Jackets
8. Other fabric.
You can create your own needlework patterns and make your own badges to wear. This can be done with graph paper or needlework design software. Stenciling is another way to put designs on to fabric.
Techniques you can use include:
- CrossStitch
- Hand embroidery
- Machine embroidery
- Plastic canvas
- Stamping
- Stenciling
9. Printables.
In addition to the labels mentioned in Step 4, you can also print on plain paper for laminating, decoupage, paper craft inclusions, buttons (with pins in back) and more. Specialty print materials such as acetate and shrink plastic allow you even more variety. Check out what you might be able to print on to craft your own badges.
10. Badge book.
Get a small photo album and place a print of your badge in it. You can also include the steps you completed, a picture of yourself doing an activity, a finished product, etc. You might even want to expand it into a scrapbook of your own adventures.
11. Your craft.
Craft your own unique badges or use your own special techniques. Some projects may include:
- Polymer clay circles with image transfer
- Keychains similar to “Buttons” above
- Clear bubble stickers over image for jewelry
- Sew felt pieces together for a soft badge
- Print and mount the badge at the size of a recycled CD and use for demonstrations
- Inside the pages of a wearable mini-book
- Create a “first place” ribbon with the badge in the center
- Place a circular acetate print inside a clear spherical Christmas ornament
- Laminated SWAP
Share your ideas so we can all have fun!
Supplements
SUPP_EP Awards_2in_12up_larajla
- Avery 2.5” round label printable, 12 up
SUPP_EP Awards_Checklist_larajla
- Badge checklist
SUPP_Printable_EP Badge Sheet_1_larajla
- Printable badge sheet for single badges
SUPP_Printable_EP Badge Sheet_4_larajla
- Printable badge sheet for 4 badges
Sites to Explore
- www.avery.com
- openbadges.org
- www.openbadges.me
- www.badgeaminit.com
- www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Merit-Badges
- www.instructables.com/id/Bottlecap-Badges
- www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-your-own-embroidered-patches-and-badge
- www.instructables.com/id/Create-embroidered-patches-from-digital-images
- www.instructables.com/id/Button-Badges-1
- www.diynetwork.com/decorating/bottle-cap-jewelry/index.html
- craftingagreenworld.com/2009/03/25/crafty-reuse-ten-projects-for-old-bottle-caps
- pinpunk.com/instructions.html
- www.ehow.com/how_4796837_ironon-transfers-computer-printout.html
- www.allfreecrafts.com/decoupage/jewelery.shtml
- crafts.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Make_Your_Own_Decorative_Patches_With_Cross_Stitch
- www.craftstylish.com/item/47743/decoupage-a-colorful-pendant-and-earrings-set
- www.makeandtakes.com/links/scrabble-tile-pendant-tutorial
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here > Full badge PDFs