July 2025 – Bristol, UK
Folio is proud to announce the successful return of UK-based indexing, following the closure of Monarch Indexing earlier this year — a move that had left the British publishing and print finishing industry without a domestic provider for this specialist process.
After several months of planning, navigating Brexit-related customs challenges, and sourcing specialist equipment from overseas, our new indexing machine is now installed, commissioned, and in full production at our Bristol facility.
Filling the Gap Left by Monarch Indexing
In April, Printweek reported on the impending retirement of Monarch Indexing and the significant gap it would leave in the market. The closure marked the end of decades of UK-based indexing services, which many publishers relied on to add precision and clarity to their bound volumes.
At Folio, we recognised not just the business opportunity — but the responsibility to act.
“Indexing may seem like a small detail, but it adds enormous value to reference works, legal volumes, and academic publishing,” said Andy Bird, Director of Folio. “When Monarch closed, there was a real risk of that capability disappearing from the UK entirely. We knew we had to bring it back.”
Made in Britain — Again
The return of domestic indexing means Folio’s clients will now benefit from:
- Faster turnaround times with no reliance on overseas partners
- Complete control over quality throughout the process
- Stronger supply chain resilience in a post-Brexit landscape
- A renewed commitment to British craftsmanship and print heritage
The first indexed books are already being shipped to clients across the UK. Photos from the production floor show stacks of freshly finished, tabbed hardbacks — all prepared in-house and ready for dispatch.
A Craft Reborn
This move underscores Folio’s dedication to not just keeping British print manufacturing alive, but bringing back lost capabilities that matter to the industry.
“We’re not just investing in equipment — we’re investing in people, in skills, and in the future of British print finishing,”….. “And we’re only just getting started.”
For more information about our indexing services or to request a quote, please contact us or call +44 (0)117 971 1118 or email estimating@foliobristol.co.uk
Read the original Printweek story: Indexing opportunity as Monarch owners prepare for retirement
