Exam Practice Questions And Correct

Flexographic Press Operator Certification Exam Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which of the following is the primary advantage of flexographic

printing over other printing methods?

• High-resolution photographic quality
• High-speed production on a variety of substrates
• Limited ink compatibility
• Long setup times

Rationale: Flexography is ideal for high-speed production and works

on various substrates like paper, plastic, and foil.

• What is the most common type of plate used in flexography?
• Metal plate
• Photopolymer plate
• Rubber plate 1 / 4

• Gravure plate

Rationale: Photopolymer plates are standard due to their durability

and ability to hold fine detail.

3. The anilox roll in a flexographic press is used to:

• Transfer ink directly to the substrate
• Meter a precise amount of ink to the plate
• Control web tension
• Clean excess ink from the plate

Rationale: The anilox roll regulates the amount of ink delivered to

the plate for consistent printing.

• What is the purpose of a doctor blade in flexography?
• To apply pressure to the substrate
• To remove excess ink from the anilox roll
• To dry the printed image
• To measure web tension

Rationale: The doctor blade scrapes excess ink from the anilox roll to

ensure uniform ink transfer.

• Which type of ink is most commonly used in flexography for food

packaging?

• Solvent-based ink
• UV-curable ink
• Water-based ink
• Oil-based ink 2 / 4

Rationale: Water-based inks are safe for food packaging and

environmentally friendly.

6. Web tension control is critical because:

• It determines the color accuracy
• It prevents wrinkles and misregistration
• It speeds up drying
• It cleans the substrate

Rationale: Proper tension prevents defects like wrinkles, stretching,

or misaligned images.

• Which factor most affects ink transfer in flexography?
• Web speed
• Anilox cell volume
• Plate material
• Doctor blade angle

Rationale: Anilox cell volume determines how much ink is delivered

to the plate, directly affecting transfer.

• A common problem in flexography is dot gain. What causes it?
• Low substrate quality
• Poor doctor blade setup
• Excessive ink spreading on the substrate
• Incorrect web tension

Rationale: Dot gain occurs when printed dots spread, often due to

too much ink or absorbent substrates. 3 / 4

9. In flexography, register marks are used to:

• Measure substrate thickness
• Align colors and print stations
• Clean the plate
• Measure ink viscosity

Rationale: Register marks help ensure that all color layers align

correctly.

• What is the typical thickness of a flexographic photopolymer

plate?

• 0.05 – 0.1 mm
• 0.2 – 0.5 mm
• 1.0 – 2.0 mm
• 3.0 – 5.0 mm

Rationale: Flexo plates are usually 1–2 mm thick to balance

durability and flexibility.

• Which component primarily controls the impression on a

flexographic press?

• Anilox roll
• Doctor blade
• Plate cylinder pressure
• Web guide

Rationale: Plate cylinder pressure determines how firmly the plate

contacts the substrate, affecting print quality.

• / 4