Revolutionizing Indian roads: LK Auto pioneers eco-friendly vehicle wraps powered by HP Latex 4th Gen Technology

Enhance the aesthetics of India’s public infrastructure by producing distinctive vehicle wraps for buses across many cities.

Embracing eco-friendly practices and ROI-driven mindset: with HP 800W and 2700W printers, LK Auto elevated production standards, boosting efficiency and increasing their consistency of output. This crucial production upgrade helped expand their customer base across India.

• Secured multiple prestigious contracts in the vehicle wrapping segment, spanning both government and private enterprises
• Enhanced 2000+ EV buses across the country with superior aesthetics
• Expanded customer base – Having delivered decals for buses for state transport providers such as Delhi Transport Corporate (DTC) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), LK Auto has secured contracts to work for Ashok Leyland and Jammu-Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC)

Tracing LK Auto's strategic rise to industry leadership.

Originating from the bustling hub of automobile manufacturing in Pune, Maharashtra, LK Auto stands as a shining example of the foresight and tenacity of Mr. Prem Kumar Sharma, the driving force behind the brand. Established in 1994, the company started as a modest venture from the creation of vinyl graphics and decals.

Over the last three decades, LK Auto faced challenges like extended turnaround times and low productivity. The labor-intensive processes limited them to 3-4 vehicle wraps per day, falling short of the demand for over 14 wraps daily. Despite their design expertise, addressing the need for faster turnaround required a shift from traditional screen printing. They had to choose between sticking to tradition and losing orders or embracing innovative technology to win more customers.

The following decision criteria played a critical role as LK Auto embarked on its print production capability overhaul:

• Need for versatility across different substrates
• Production speed and turnaround time along with the consistency of prints
• Enable a quick transition from concept design to decal production
• Capability to print white ink, uniformly and consistently
• Decal inks used for printing must endure the maximum UV hours as per automotive industry standards
• The inks need to be stretchable and flexible across substrates
• The inks used needed to be sustainable, minimizing chemical odors and hazardous pollutants as mandated by the government
• Easy-to-use production technology for the in-house design team

LK Auto evaluated printers of all major brands before finally deciding to partner with HP's Latex 4th gen technology. A move that would redefine their future.

LK Auto marked the switch from traditional screen printing to digital printing with the Latex 800W which revolutionized their production capabilities entirely.

• Upgrading to the HP Latex technology helped cut down the production time by 50% needed for creating screens and positives.
• They could now create high-impact vehicle wraps to be printed on transparent, colored, or even metallic self-adhesive media using white ink
• They could now increase opacity and vividness for applications on transparent and colored media apart from giving images sharper edges for greater impact and striking contrast, using pure black to improve visibility
• This upgrade helped decrease labor requirements, increased cost efficiency, and provided the added advantage of needing only one employee to operate the entire operation end-to-end

Given the exhaustive list of benefits enabled by Latex, LK Auto soon added 2 additional units of the 800W printer. While the production capabilities were upgraded, the government’s thrust on converting existing public infrastructure to EV provided the right demand impetus. The Indian government aims to have 50,000 electric buses on the road by 2027 under the National Electric Bus Program (NEBP) which was launched in 2022. Delhi, making strides in sustainability, has recently expanded its electric bus fleet by 350, all of which have been wrapped using HP Latex Gen 4 Ink technology. This technological enhancement has raised the total number of electric buses to 1650, placing the national capital as the third-largest holder of such fleets globally.

Given the ongoing efforts to modernize mass transport systems, the demand for bus decals has been on the rise. Even with three 800W printers producing decals round the clock, the company was finding it hard to keep up with the rising demand. It was then the company decided to add an HP Latex 2700W to its portfolio, significantly boosting its production capacity.

Turning efficiency into profit powered by the HP Latex 2700W.

Embracing the HP Latex 2700W marked a pivotal turning point for LK Auto, introducing several key production advantages over the existing 800W such as dual-roll support, dual-head printing, and enhanced speed. While the 800W printers featured a maximum media width of 64 inches, using 3-liter ink cartridges, and handling a maximum roll weight of 55 kg; the capabilities were falling short in meeting the required demand.

The HP Latex 2700W has established LK Auto as a frontrunner in the vehicle wrap industry, basis several key factors:

• Ink flexibility and stretchability: HP Latex Inks enable better folding and bending without cracking compared to UV ink-based technologies, making it the ideal fit for flexible applications, such as vehicle wraps.
• Application support: Aligns with the specific Pantone shade color requirements and adapts the project to meet client specifications.
• Decal color matching: Ensures precise color matching for decals, a task traditionally done using screen printing technology.
• Low per ml cost of ink enabled by the mid-volume capabilities of the Latex 2700W.
• Water-based inks: HP Latex inks produce odorless prints, clean, and non-toxic proven by the list of certifications earned including EPEAT, ENERGY STAR®, Nordic Swan Ecolabel, and the UL GREENGUARD GOLD ensuring its world-class safety standards.

• Scratch resistance helps reduce the risk of damage during finishing and shipping while enabling easy installation

Typically, each bus decal encompasses about 700 square feet of printing area which is about five times the area of a standard car parking space, and the HP Latex 2700W can produce 7 such bus decals within a 24-hour shift.

From offering a modest range of products, the company has evolved into a beacon of creativity and excellence. LK Auto now showcases an exuberant palette of colors, designs, graphics, and fonts, each telling a story of aesthetic innovation and meticulous craftsmanship. The adoption of HP Latex technology has markedly influenced LK Auto's operations, most notably through significant cost savings. By cutting down on production expenses, LK Auto has been able to transfer these savings to its clients, bolstering its competitive position. The integration of the Latex 2700W unit has notably enhanced its capacity to complete jobs promptly, expand production capabilities, and lower operational costs. This shift means LK Auto now offers affordable, sustainable, and climate-friendly printing at more budget-friendly prices. The company now enjoys a significantly lower per ml cost of ink enabled by the mid-volume capabilities of the Latex 2700W.

LK Auto is the exclusive decal producer for Tata Motors, who in turn serve prestigious clients like the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). They also boast a prestigious clientele including Force Motors, and VE Commercial Vehicles, among the leading OEM manufacturers in India. The company has impressively completed over 2000 bus decals, highlighting its robust capabilities. The eco-friendliness of HP Latex inks not only enhances LK Auto's environmental credentials but also gives them a competitive advantage. Excelling in meeting their customers' needs on a grand scale, they have consistently garnered recognition and business from these top-tier clients. Today, the company is setting industrial standards in both scale and complexity leaning heavily on their rapid production speed using green inks—a clear win-win scenario.

Latex lineup expansion: doubling capabilities and paving the way for future innovations.

The outlook for LK Auto is optimistic, with plans to take on projects for prestigious firms like Ashok Leyland, and a significant undertaking of wrapping over 800 EV buses for the Jammu Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC). Additionally, a collaboration involving Indian Oil and Tata Motors is on the cards, entailing decal work for more than 200 EV buses. These ventures underscore LK Auto's contribution to India's environmental goals and their enhancement of the visual appeal of EV buses on the country's roads. The sustainability aspect of HP Latex technology further bolsters their position, ensuring their decals are eco-friendly, devoid of toxic chemicals, and safe for the environment.

The HP Latex 2700W reflects LK Auto's commitment to transforming creative concepts into on-road realities, with sustainability as a cornerstone of their achievement.