How Northern Monk and All4Labels Redefine Beer Packaging With STARDIRECT™
Leeds-based Northern Monk is one of the UK’s most respected independent breweries, known for creating beers that “delight, unite and do right.” With innovation and creativity at the heart of their identity, packaging plays a vital role in expressing their brand story — transforming each can into a canvas that connects with consumers.
For their product labelling, Northern Monk sought a partner who could match their ambition for quality, flexibility, and sustainability. They needed more than a label supplier — they were looking for a collaborator who could bring fresh ideas, premium quality, and pioneering technology to their packaging process.
The Challenge
As a brewery that frequently launches new and limited-edition beers, Northern Monk faces unique pressures around packaging speed, consistency, and creative execution.
Their goals were clear:
- Maintain uncompromising print quality that showcases exclusive artist collaborations.
- Improve production efficiency by ensuring labels perform flawlessly on the packaging line.
- Explore sustainable innovations that reduce material waste without sacrificing premium aesthetics.
The Collaboration
The partnership between Northern Monk and All4Labels UK began in 2024 and quickly evolved into a relationship built on trust, flexibility, and shared innovation.
All4Labels provided the brewery with label solutions that deliver precision colour matching, fast turnaround times, and reliable application performance — key advantages for a brand that thrives on frequent product launches.
Beyond print excellence, the partnership fostered co-creation. Together, the teams explored creative label formats, including peel & reveal labels, giving Northern Monk space to tell deeper stories about their beers, collaborators, and inspiration — enhancing the consumer experience through design and storytelling.
Most notably, All4Labels introduced Northern Monk to STARDIRECT™, an industry-first innovation that prints directly onto the backing substrate, eliminating traditional label material waste.
The brewery’s Northern Wild release marked the first use of STARDIRECT™ in the UK craft beer industry, showcasing how sustainable technology can elevate premium design.
The Outcome
The partnership between All4Labels UK and Northern Monk delivers measurable benefits across their beer labels in quality, efficiency, and sustainability including:
- Improved operational efficiency, with smoother label application and reduced production downtime.
- Enhanced brand expression, ensuring every can meets the brewery’s creative and aesthetic standards.
- Reduced environmental impact, by adopting STARDIRECT™ and cutting material waste.
The result is packaging that doesn’t just look exceptional — it embodies Northern Monk’s values of innovation, quality, and environmental responsibility.
STARDIRECT™ strengthens Northern Monk’s position as a forward-thinking craft brewery, proving that sustainability and style can go hand in hand.
“Our relationship with All4Labels has been fantastic throughout our partnership. Their flexibility, communication, and ability to maintain quality across every project make them an invaluable partner.
Being the first in the UK to use STARDIRECT™ allowed us to remove waste entirely while maintaining the premium look we strive for. It’s a perfect reflection of our commitment to innovation and sustainability.”
– Graham Hodkinson, Packaging Support Manager, Northern Monk
The collaboration between Northern Monk and All4Labels UK demonstrates how innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship can come together to redefine packaging in the craft beer industry.
When a brand’s creative ambition meets All4Labels’ global expertise and cutting-edge technology, extraordinary packaging is born.
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