In the competitive world of craft beer, packaging does far more than hold the product. It tells a story, conveys quality, and sets a brand apart on crowded shelves.
For Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, packaging is central to their mission of creating drinking experiences that “delight, unite and do right.”
When Northern Monk first partnered with All4Labels UK in 2024, they were looking for more than a label supplier. They wanted a trusted partner who could deliver uncompromising quality, support their creative vision, and introduce innovative, sustainable solutions.
Together, the two businesses have not only elevated the presentation of Northern Monk’s portfolio but also helped bring ground-breaking packaging innovation to the UK market.
About Northern Monk
Founded in 2013 with just £5,000 in a Bradford cellar, Northern Monk has grown into one of the UK’s most respected independent breweries. Based in Leeds, the brewery is on a mission “to make drinking experiences that delight, unite and do right.”
Their flagship beer, Faith, leads a diverse portfolio, supported by a core range and the innovative Patrons Project which collaborates with artists, athletes, restaurateurs, and cultural icons.
These projects have helped Northern Monk build beers that are as visually distinctive as they are world-class in taste.
Partnership with All4Labels UK
The relationship between Northern Monk and All4Labels UK began in 2024. Since then, the collaboration has flourished into a trusted partnership.
“The consistency and quality of All4Label’s label solutions are of huge benefit to us. Their capacity to cater for a quick turn-around while maintaining the quality of the finished product allows us a degree of flexibility that is of huge benefit.” – said Graham Hodkinson, Packaging Support Manager at Northern Monk.
Delivering Reliable Quality and Efficiency
For a brewery like Northern Monk, where new releases and limited editions are a core part of the business model, delays or inconsistencies in packaging can have significant consequences. Working with All4Labels has given the brewery confidence that every label will arrive exactly as specified, removing the risk of costly reprints and production hold-ups.
Equally important is the way the labels perform once they reach the packaging line. Northern Monk’s production team has highlighted how smoothly All4Labels’ labels run through their machinery, reducing stoppages and minimising waste. This reliability translates directly into operational efficiency, helping the brewery maintain momentum across frequent product launches.
Flexibility is another advantage that Northern Monk’s supply chain experiences through our valuable partnership. With All4Labels’ ability to meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality, Northern Monk has been able to respond quickly to new opportunities and market demand.
Enhancing Brand Identity Through Packaging
For Northern Monk, the label is not just packaging, it is part of the product itself.
Nowhere is this more evident than in their Patrons Projects series, which pairs innovative beer with exclusive artwork. Over the years, these labels have featured the work of celebrated illustrators and cultural collaborators, becoming almost as collectible as the beers inside the cans.
“These beers have exclusive artwork, both photographic and illustrative, as a key part of their appeal. For example, our series with Dan Mumford, Drew Millward and Amy Hastings to name just a few.” Said Graham Hodkinson.
“It has always been necessary for us to guarantee that the artwork is shown off in the best way possible, and that the colours and finishes are of the highest quality. As a result of the labels printed by All4Labels, many of these series have become just as well known for their distinctive artwork, as they are for the beer inside.”
All4Labels has also enabled Northern Monk to tell deeper stories through the use of peel & reveal labels, a format that offers extra space with additional ‘pages’ for extended content without compromising design.
This additional real estate allows the brewery to share insights about collaborators, brewing processes, and inspiration. Thus, strengthening the connection between product and consumer while enhancing the overall drinking experience.
Pioneering Sustainability with STARDIRECT™
Innovation and sustainability are central to Northern Monk’s ethos, and All4Labels has supported both through the introduction of STARDIRECT™, a groundbreaking label technology.
The launch of the latest Northern Wild release marked a milestone, as Northern Monk became the first business in the UK to reap the benefits of this labelling solution.
The Northern Wild series is a small but specialist part of the Brewery’s output, and from a brewing perspective is a heavily technical process much closer to wine making. Thus, the project lends itself perfectly to a specialist packaging solution.
By eliminating the label substrate and printing directly onto the backing substrate, STARDIRECT™ significantly reduces material usage and associated waste, while delivering a striking “no-label” look that enhances the premium feel of the product.
For Northern Monk, the environmental benefits were clear: “Our latest Northern Wild release makes use of the innovative STARDIRECT™ label solution, allowing us to really mitigate our environmental impact by removing that element of waste entirely.”
This pioneering move not only reduces the brewery’s environmental footprint but also reinforces their reputation as a forward-thinking, sustainability-driven brand willing to embrace industry-first innovation.
“Our relationship with All4Labels has been fantastic throughout our partnership, in particular the communications with our account manager Khloe. Her ability to work flexibly with our changing needs has been of huge benefit and is greatly appreciated.” said Graham Hodkinson.
“It’s this positive working relationship that led to our eagerness to be the first to utilise the STARDIRECT™ technology. We feel able to trust the All4Labels team that the process would be of benefit to all involved and would see no compromise on workflow or quality that we have come to expect from All4Labels as a valued supplier.”
Packaging as a Catalyst for Success
For Northern Monk, packaging is more than a finishing touch. It is a vital part of their brand strategy and commercial success. In a crowded market, their ability to stand out on shelf has been key to driving sales performance and building lasting connections with customers.
“We rely heavily on our packaging to promote our brand and products in a crowded and noisy market. We see many of our new releases presenting well in our off-trade listings and being leaders in their categories for rates of sale, thanks in no small part to the quality of All4Labels’ label solutions.” – Graham Hodkinson.
Beyond sales, Northern Monk’s labels have taken on a life of their own.
With artwork that resonates so strongly with consumers, individual series have become collectors’ items with customers requesting spare labels for their collections to frame and display them at home. This ongoing success has attracted collaborations with world-class artists such as Tank Petrol, Dan Mumford, and Tula Lotay, cementing the brewery’s reputation for creativity and quality.
By combining innovative technologies, sustainable solutions, and uncompromising print quality, All4Labels UK has helped Northern Monk transform their packaging into a true brand asset. One that not only supports sales but also builds cultural value and long-term loyalty.
Looking Ahead
The collaboration between Northern Monk and All4Labels UK is far from complete. With sustainability and innovation continuing to shape the packaging industry, both partners see exciting opportunities to explore new materials, formats, and technologies that further reduce environmental impact while enhancing brand storytelling.
Northern Monk’s early adoption of STARDIRECT™ shows how forward-thinking breweries can lead the way in bringing breakthrough packaging solutions to market. For All4Labels, it reflects a commitment to supporting customers not only as suppliers but as trusted partners driving shared progress.
Together, the two businesses are set to keep pushing boundaries by creating packaging that is smarter, more sustainable, and more engaging for consumers.
At All4Labels UK, we help beverage brands like Northern Monk bring their vision to life with innovative, high-quality, and sustainable label solutions. Whether you want to elevate your brand identity, improve efficiency, or explore the latest packaging technologies, our team is here to help. Get in touch today to discover how All4Labels can support your next project.