Tattoo Merit Badge

Requirements for the Tattoo merit badge:

1. Do the following:
   
   1. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while getting a tattoo or tattooing someone, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
   2. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while tattooing, including skin infection, allergic reaction, bloodborne diseases, hyperventilation, psychogenic shock, sudden cardiac arrest, and spontaneous combustion.
2. Define the following tattooing terms: ink, tat, gun, irons, works, carving, slinging ink, pounding skin, grinding, goo, squicked, the look, aftercare, blowout, bodysuit, canvas, scratcher, sleeve wrastler, cadaver, human larva, showcase, meat, tenderfoot, yo-man, dealer
3. Describe to your counselor the uses, similarities, and differences of these tattooing tools: autoclave, coil machine, rotary machine, pneumatic machine, liner, shader
4. Describe to your counselor these styles of tattoos: American Traditional, Biomechanical, Black and Grey, Blackwork, Dotwork, Geometric, Horror, Illustrative, New School, Ornamental, Realism, Ta Moko, Tebori, Iresumi, Yakuza, Yantra
5. Write a short (300-word) report about the history of tattooing. Include telling who Sailor Jerry was, the origin of tattoos, and the many uses of tattoos, such as identification, medical information, and life milestones.
6. Explain to your counselor the process of tattooing these three types of tattoos:
   • Ink Tattoo
   • Henna Tattoo
   • Decal Tattoo
7. Create a unique tattoo design. Draw your design on paper and have your counselor approve it. Then, tattoo your design onto a cantalope, pigskin, or synthetic skin. Show the results to your counselor and discuss ways to improve the results.
8. On your parent, guardian, or scout buddy, tattoo your design and show the results to your counselor. Remember to use safe tattooing guidelines.
9. Find out about three career opportunities in the tattoo industry. 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.