# Pick Two Stamp Projects

Part of the Stamp Collecting Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/guide/index.md)

*7. Creative Projects*

> **7.** Do TWO of the following:

You must choose exactly 2 options from this requirement. These choices let you shape the badge around your interests: art, research, visiting real stamp spaces, writing, or building a display.

## Your Options

- **[Req 7a — Design Work](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/guide/req7a/)**: Create your own stamp, cancellation, or cachet and think like a designer.
- **[Req 7b — Visit the Stamp World](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/guide/req7b/)**: Visit a post office, stamp club, or stamp show and learn by observing real collectors and postal professionals.
- **[Req 7c — Review a Stamp Article](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/guide/req7c/)**: Read something interesting about philately and explain what was worth learning.
- **[Req 7d — Research Stamp History](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/guide/req7d/)**: Investigate a person or a famous stamp story and report what makes it important.
- **[Req 7e — How Stamps Are Made](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/guide/req7e/)**: Study the production process from design through paper, printing, perforation, and gum.
- **[Req 7f — Build a Stamp Display](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/guide/req7f/)**: Turn stamps and supporting material into a two- to three-page story exhibit.

## How to Choose

**Choosing your two projects** — Match the options to the kind of work you enjoy most

- [ ] **If you like art and design**: Req 7a gives you the most room for creativity.
- [ ] **If you like field trips and live events**: Req 7b puts you in real stamp-collecting spaces.
- [ ] **If you like reading and writing**: Req 7c turns research into a written review.
- [ ] **If you like history**: Req 7d helps you chase a story behind a person or a famous issue.
- [ ] **If you like process and how-things-work topics**: Req 7e is the best technical option.
- [ ] **If you like presentation and storytelling**: Req 7f lets you build something visual from your collection.

> **Tip**
>
> A strong pair is one creative option and one research option. For example, 7a plus 7d or 7b plus 7f shows range and makes your counselor conversation more interesting.

After you choose, start with the design option. Even if you do not select it, it is a good example of how collectors turn ideas into something memorable.

---

- Previous: [Mounting and Protecting a Collection](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/guide/req6/index.md)
- Next: [Design Work](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/guide/req7a/index.md)