<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit 10.h.

April 1, 1997



BUSINESS RESTRICTED
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Jack  Thornton



RE:  Employment and Separation Agreement

Dear Jack:

This letter when signed by you will void and supersede any prior agreements
between you and Jostens, Inc. ("Jostens") relating to your employment and
possible separation from "Jostens" and it will confirm the mutual arrangements
we have made for your continued employment and your planned separation from
Jostens.

The terms of the Agreement are as follows

1.   You will continue in your current employment capacity with Jostens through
     June 30, 1997. During that period of time you will assist as requested by
     me in the transition of Jostens Printing, Photo and Canadian business
     responsibilities to those individuals I appoint as being responsible for
     assuming those duties. For the period up through June 30, 1997 you will
     continue to receive all the benefits and perquisites that you are currently
     receiving on the same basis and terms. At all times during this active
     employment period with Jostens you, of course, will support, follow and
     implement the directions and strategies requested by me as the Chief
     Executive Officer of Jostens.

2.   You agree to terminate your active employment duties with Jostens as of
     June 30, 1997 ("Discontinuance of Active Employment").

3.   Effective as of your Discontinuance of Active Employment, the terms set out
     below will govern the separation arrangement between you and Jostens.

     a.   You will receive a special performance bonus based on the first six
          (6) months performance under the current calendar year profit plan for
          the Printing & Publishing, Photography and Canadian businesses
          ("Operating Businesses"). If you achieve the total aggregate planned
          EBIT
<PAGE>

          contribution amounts for these three business units for the six month
          period ending June 30, 1997, Jostens will pay you a special
          performance bonus equal to two (2) months of your current base salary.
          This bonus will be paid to you in August, 1997.

     b.   You also will be eligible to participate in the regular calendar year
          1997 management bonus program. This program has three basic components
          consisting of

          i.   Twenty percent (20%) based on the full calendar year corporate
               net income amounts;

          ii.  Twenty percent (20%) based on the full calendar year personal key
               business initiatives (KBIs); and

          iii. Sixty percent (60%) based on your operating business EBIT
               contribution for the full calendar year.

          You will be eligible for a bonus under this program on the following
          basis:

          A.   The 20% corporate net income component payable to you will be
               based on 50% of the final calendar year end company results.

          B.   The 20% KBI performance component will be based on your personal
               performance against these KBIs through June 30, 1997 and will be
               equal to one-half of the annualized level.

          C.   The bonus payment component related to the Operating Businesses
               will be prorated upon the percent of aggregate "EBIT
               contribution" earned by the Operating Businesses through June 30,
               1997 versus the total projected "EBIT contribution" earned by the
               Operating Businesses for the full twelve (12) month period ending
               December 31, 1997. The management bonuses referred to in this
               section will be paid to you in February 1998.

     c.   You will be eligible to participate in the Jostens Performance Pays
          Program for the period through June 30, 1997 on the same basis as
          other senior vice presidents of Jostens.

     d.   Commencing as of July 1, 1997 you will receive the equivalent of
          sixteen (16) months of your then current base salary payable over a
          period of the next sixteen (16) months ("Salary Continuation Period").

     e.   Payment for four (4) weeks' of unused vacation will be paid to you in
          a lump sum within thirty (30) days of the Discontinuance of Active
          Employment. No vacation will be accrued during the Salary Continuation
          Period.

     f.   All of your current employee benefits and executive perquisites will
          continue in the same manner as that of a full-time, active senior
          executive of Jostens through your Salary Continuation Period with the
          exception of
<PAGE>

          your short and long-term disability and travel insurance, which will
          no longer be effective as of your Discontinuance of Active Employment.

          Through your Salary Continuation Period, you will continue to receive
          the following employee benefits and receive years of service credit as
          if you were still a full-time active employee of Jostens: health and
          dental coverage, life insurance, continued eligibility and
          participation in the Jostens 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, Jostens
          Pension Plan "D" and supplemental pension program on the same terms
          and conditions as apply to other executive officers of Jostens.

     g.   For purposes of Jostens providing life, health and dental coverages,
          Jostens will consider your separation date from Jostens to be
          effective as of the last day of your Salary Continuation Period and
          your annual base salary to be the annual rate as of June 30, 1997. You
          will be eligible for normal COBRA benefits after October 30, 1998. In
          addition, pursuant to the terms of the Jostens 401(k) Retirement
          Savings Plan, you will continue to receive Jostens company matching
          contributions under the Plan for all contributions made through
          October 31, 1998.

     h.   You will be able to continue participatin in the current executive
          vehicle lease program with your existing vehicle through the last day
          of your Salary Continuation Period on the same basis that you
          currently receive it which includes, among other things, insurance
          coverage and vehicle registration costs.

     i.   To assist you in obtaining possible alternative employment, Jostens
          will reimburse you for up to $25,000 for employment assistance costs
          and services which you actually incur prior to the end of the Salary
          Continuation Period. This payment will be provided to you to cover
          re-employment assistance, outplacement services, search firms,
          employment agencies or firms, personal travel expenses and other costs
          you may incur as part of your efforts to seek other employment.

     j.   You will be eligible to continue your financial planning, executive
          medical reimbursement and executive physical benefits on the same
          basis as they have been provided to you in the past through the
          conclusion of your Salary Continuation Period.

     k.   As of the Discontinuance of Active Employment you will no longer be
          considered an insider of Jostens for federal securities rules
          reporting purposes. Please note that the same reporting requirements
          you have been obligated to follow in the past will continue to apply
          for a period of six (6) months after the Discontinuance of Active
          Employment.

     l.   For purposes of vesting and the exercise of any stock option grants
          and restricted shares that you have been awarded in Jostens stock, you
          will be considered a full-time active employee of Jostens through the
          last day
<PAGE>

          of your Salary Continuation Period, which date for purposes of these
          stock awards will be considered your effective termination date from
          Jostens.

     m.   In consideration for what Jostens has agreed to provide you as
          identified above, you agree:

          i.   That from the date of this Agreement through the Salary
               Continuation Period, you will support and endorse the strategies,
               directions and goals of Jostens.

          ii.  That you will not, during or subsequent to your employment with
               Jostens, divulge, furnish, or make accessible to anyone any
               confidential proprietary information of Jostens or any of its
               subsidiary or affiliated companies.

          iii. That, during the period up to and including October 31, 1999, you
               will not solicit or entice current Jostens employees or sales
               representatives to accept employment with you or any new employer
               with whom you may become associated.

          iv.  Unless specifically approved in writing by the General Counsel of
               Jostens, you will not on or before October 31, 1999 serve as a
               director, officer, employee, consultant, partner, representative,
               agent, advisor or independent contractor of any company or
               establish your own business which is in direct or indirect
               competition with any of Jostens' current or currently planned
               business activities.

          v.   Should you breach any terms of this paragraph, Jostens will be
               entitled, in addition to any other legal rights it may have, to
               terminate any unpaid monies that may be due you under this
               Agreement and shall have the right to recover that portion of any
               payments made to you under the terms of this Agreement. In
               addition, you will forfeit any shares of restricted stock which
               have not fully vested. In the event of a breach by either party,
               the prevailing party in any subsequent litigation or arbitration
               shall be entitled to recover their reasonable attorney's fees.

          vi.  To return all company property not otherwise provided for herein,
               including keys and credit cards on or before June 30, 1997.

4.   Jostens, its officers, directors, agents, employees, and subsidiary
     companies, on one hand, and you, on the other hand, agree to release and
     forever discharge each other from and to waive all causes of action,
     damages, liability and claims of whatever nature relating to or arising out
     of your employment with Jostens and the cessation of that employment
     including, but not limited to, claims under federal, state, or local
     discrimination laws, and the Age Discrimination and Employment Act,
     provided however, that nothing herein shall release or
<PAGE>

     discharge Jostens or you from obligations under this Agreement or which
     arise after the date you sign this Agreement. Also, nothing herein shall
     limit or restrict your right to indemnification, which right shall continue
     through the Salary Continuation Period on the same basis as it is offered
     to all other executive offices.

5.   At Jostens' request, you will continue to fully cooperate with Jostens in
     any current and future claims or lawsuits involving Jostens where you have
     knowledge of the underlying facts. In addition, you will not voluntarily
     aid, assist, or cooperate with any claimants or plaintiffs or their
     attorneys or agents in any claims or lawsuits commenced in the future
     against Jostens; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement will be
     construed to prevent you from testifying at an administrative hearing, a
     deposition or in court in response to a lawful subpoena in any litigation
     or proceeding involving Jostens. Jostens further agrees to reimburse you
     for any requested out-of-pocket expenses you incur in cooperation with the
     rendering of any assistance to Jostens pursuant to this paragraph.

6.   This Agreement shall be binding upon Jostens and any of its successors in
     interest and shall inure to the benefit of your heirs or successors. This
     Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties
     and no representations have been made or relied upon by either party other
     than those that are expressly set forth herein. This Agreement may not be
     altered, modified or amended unless done in writing and signed by you and
     an officer of Jostens. In the event of your death, the salary continuation
     payments provided for in paragraph 2 (a) and (b) herein shall inure to the
     benefit of your heirs.

7.   Jostens, upon specific request, will provide legally appropriate
     references. Should you wish to have any additional information released by
     Jostens, you should request such in writing and agree to hold Jostens
     harmless for any such information transmitted on your behalf pursuant to
     your request.

You acknowledge that you have been given up to twenty-one (21) days to consider
this Agreement and have been advised and have had the opportunity to consult
legal counsel of your own choosing concerning this Agreement and that you have
entered into it of your own free will and without compulsion.

You have the right to rescind that portion of this waiver and release which
deals with charges or claims brought pursuant to the Minnesota Human Rights Act
or the Age Discrimination and Employment Act within fifteen (15) days from the
date you sign this Agreement. To be effective, this rescission must be in
writing and hand delivered or mailed to Jostens, Inc. to the attention of
Orville E. Fisher, Jr. within the fifteen (15) day period. If mailed, the
recision must be post marked within the fifteen (15) day period, and be properly
addressed to Jostens, Inc., 5501 Norman Center Drive, Minneapolis, Minnesota
55437, Attention: Orville E. Fisher, Jr. and sent by certified return receipt
requested. Rescission of the release will result in cessation of all payments
and benefits provided by Jostens pursuant hereto.
<PAGE>

If this Agreement and the conditions contained herein are agreeable to you,
please sign and return this letter to me within twenty-one (21) days or as soon
as possible, thereby noting your knowing and voluntary agreement.

Sincerely,

/s/ Robert C. Buhrmaster

Robert C. Buhrmaster
President and CEO

AGREED AND APPROVED:


/S/ JACK THORNTON
----------------------------------
Jack Thornton

Dated: APRIL 18, 1997
      ----------------------------