<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.32

June 27, 2000



Joseph J. Ward
3808 Barrington Hills Drive
Richmond, VA 23233



          Re:  Employee Retention Agreement
               ----------------------------

Dear Joe:

          Cadmus Communications Corporation (the "Corporation") considers it
essential to the best interests of its shareholders to foster the continuous
employment of its key management personnel and that of its direct and indirect
subsidiaries (collectively the "Cadmus Companies" or individually a "Cadmus
Company"). In this connection, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the
"Board") recognizes that the possibility of a change in control of the
Corporation may exist and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and
questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or
distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the Corporation and its
shareholders.

          The Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to
reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of the
Cadmus Companies' management, including yourself, to their assigned duties
without distraction in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances arising
from the possibility of a change in control of the Corporation.

          In order to induce you to remain in the employ of the Cadmus
Companies, the Corporation agrees that you shall receive the severance benefits
set forth in this letter agreement (the "Agreement") in the event your
employment with the Cadmus Companies is terminated under the circumstances
described below subsequent to a Change in Control (as defined in Section 2) of
the Corporation.

          1.   Certain Definitions.
               -------------------

          (a)  "Change in Control Period" means the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending on the second anniversary of such date; provided,
however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each
anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be
hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), the Change in Control Period
shall be automatically extended so as to terminate two years from such Renewal
Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Corporation shall
give notice to you that the Change in Control Period shall not be so extended.

          (b)  "Effective Date" means the first date during the Change in
Control Period (as defined in Section 1(a)) on which a Change in Control occurs.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change in
Control occurs and if your employment with the Cadmus Companies is terminated
prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs, and if it is reasonably
demonstrated by you that such termination of employment (i) was at the request
of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect the Change
in Control, or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of the
Change in Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date"
shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of
employment.
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Joseph J. Ward
Page 2



          (c) "Employment Period" means the period commencing on the Effective
Date and ending on the second anniversary of such date.

          (d) "Date of Termination" means (i) if your employment with the Cadmus
Companies is terminated by the Corporation for Cause or is terminated by you for
Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date
specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if your employment with the Cadmus
Companies is terminated by the Corporation other than for Cause or Disability,
the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Corporation notifies you
of such termination, and (iii) if your employment is terminated by reason of
death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of your death or
the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.

          (e) "Termination" means a notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) sets forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of your employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if
the Date of Termination is other than the date of receipt of such notice,
specifies the termination date.

          2.  Change in Control. No benefits shall be payable hereunder unless
              -----------------
there shall have been a Change in Control of the Corporation, as set forth
below. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall mean :

          (a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of
either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation (the
"Outstanding Cadmus Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors (the "Outstanding Cadmus Voting Securities").
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a
Change in Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Corporation, (ii) any
acquisition by the Corporation, (iii) any acquisition by, or benefit
distribution from, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Corporation or any corporation controlled by the Corporation,
(iv) any acquisition pursuant to any compensatory stock option, stock purchase
or other stock plan for employees, or (v) any acquisition pursuant to a
reorganization, merger or consolidation, if, following such reorganization,
merger or consolidation, the conditions described in clauses (i), (ii), and
(iii) of Subsection (c) of this Section 2 are satisfied; or

          (b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the
"Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to
the date hereof whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote
of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board
shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent
Board (with his predecessor thereafter ceasing to be a member); or

          (c) Approval by the shareholders of the Corporation of the
reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Corporation unless, following
such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, (i) more than 60% of the then
outstanding shares of common stock and the then outstanding voting securities of
the resulting corporation is then beneficially owned by all or substantially all
of the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Cadmus Common Stock
and Outstanding Cadmus Voting Securities immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger, or consolidation, (ii) no Person (excluding (A) the
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Joseph J. Ward
Page 3


Corporation, (B) any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Corporation
or such corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger, or
consolidation, and (C) any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger, or consolidation, 20% or more of the Outstanding Cadmus
Common Stock or Outstanding Cadmus Voting Securities, as the case may be)
beneficially owns 20% or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock or
the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the
resulting corporation, and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board
of directors of the resulting corporation were members of the Incumbent Board at
the time of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such
reorganization, merger, or consolidation; or

          (d) Approval by the shareholders of the Corporation of (i) a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or (ii) the sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation other
than to a corporation with respect to which, following such sale or other
disposition, (A) more than 60% of the outstanding shares of common stock and the
then outstanding voting securities of such corporation is beneficially owned by
all or substantially all of the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
Outstanding Cadmus Common Stock and Outstanding Cadmus Voting Securities
immediately prior to such sale or disposition; (B) no Person (excluding (I) the
Corporation, (II) any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the
Corporation or such corporation, and (III) any Person beneficially owning,
immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, 20% or more of the
Outstanding Cadmus Common Stock or Outstanding Cadmus Voting Securities, as the
case may be) beneficially owns 20% or more of the then outstanding shares of
common stock or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of such corporation, and (C) at least a majority of the members of
the board of directors of such corporation were members of the Incumbent Board
at the time of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such sale or
other disposition of the assets of the corporation.

          3.  Employment Period. The Corporation hereby agrees to continue, or
              -----------------
cause to be continued, your employment with the Cadmus Companies for the
Employment Period.

          4.  Termination of Employment.
              -------------------------

          (a) Your employment with the Cadmus Companies shall terminate
automatically upon your death during the Employment Period.

          (b) If, as a result of your incapacity due to physical or mental
illness (as determined by the Corporation), you shall have been absent from the
full-time performance of your duties with the Cadmus Companies for six (6)
consecutive months (your "Disability"), the Cadmus Company by which you are then
employed may give you written notice of its intention to terminate your
employment. In such event, your employment with the Cadmus Companies shall
terminate effective on the 30th day after your receipt of such notice (the
"Disability Effective Date"), provided that within 30 days after your receipt of
such notice you have not returned to full-time performance of your duties.

          (c) Your employment with the Cadmus Companies may be terminated by the
Corporation during the Employment Period with or without Cause. For purposes
hereof, "Cause" shall mean (i) the willful and continued failure by you to
substantially perform your duties with the Cadmus Companies (other than any such
failure resulting from your incapacity due to physical or mental illness or any
such actual or anticipated failure after the issuance of a Notice of Termination
by you for Good Reason (as defined in Section 4(d)), after a written demand for
substantial performance is delivered to you by the Board, which demand
specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that you have not
substantially performed your duties, (ii) the willful engagement by you in
conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Cadmus Companies,
monetarily or otherwise, or (iii) your conviction of a felony involving
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Joseph J. Ward
Page 4

moral turpitude. For purposes of this subsection, no act, or failure to act, on
your part shall be deemed "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by you
not in good faith and without reasonable belief that your action or omission was
in the best interest of the Cadmus Companies.

          (d) You may terminate your employment with the Cadmus Companies during
the Employment Period for any reason, including without limitation Good Reason.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:

              (i)   the assignment to you of any duties inconsistent with the
     position (including status, offices, titles, and reporting requirements) or
     authority in the Cadmus Companies that you held immediately prior to the
     Change in Control, or a significant adverse alteration in the nature or
     status of your responsibilities or the conditions of your employment from
     those in effect immediately prior to such Change in Control;

              (ii)  a reduction by the Corporation in your annual base salary as
     in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to
     time;

              (iii) if your principal office location is at the Corporation's
     principal executive offices immediately prior to the Change in Control, the
     relocation of the Corporation's principal executive offices to a location
     outside the Richmond Metropolitan Area, or if your principal office
     location is not at the Corporation's principal executive offices
     immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Corporation's requiring you
     to be based anywhere other than your principal office location immediately
     prior to the Change in Control except for required travel on the Cadmus
     Companies' business to an extent substantially consistent with your present
     business travel obligations;

              (iv)  except in the event of reasonable administrative delay, the
     failure by the Cadmus Companies to pay to you any portion of your current
     compensation or to pay to you any portion of an installment of deferred
     compensation under any deferred compensation program of the Cadmus
     Companies within seven (7) days of the date such compensation is due;

              (v)   the failure by the Cadmus Companies to continue in effect
     for you any compensation plan in which you participate immediately prior to
     the Change in Control that is material to your total compensation or any
     substitute plan adopted prior to the Change in Control, unless an equitable
     arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has
     been made with respect to such plan, or the failure by the Cadmus Companies
     to continue your participation therein (or in such substitute or
     alternative plan) on a basis not materially less favorable, both in terms
     of the amount of benefits provided and the level of your participation
     relative to other participants, as it existed at the time of the Change in
     Control;

              (vi)  the failure by the Cadmus Companies to continue to provide
     you with benefits substantially similar to those enjoyed by you under any
     of the Cadmus Companies' life insurance, medical, health and accident, or
     disability plans in which you were participating at the time of the Change
     in Control, the taking of any action by any Cadmus Company which would
     directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive
     you of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by you at the time of the Change
     in Control, or the failure by the Cadmus Companies to provide you with the
     number of paid
<PAGE>

Joseph J. Ward
Page 5

     vacation days to which you are entitled on the basis of years of service
     with the Cadmus Companies in accordance with the normal vacation policy of
     the Cadmus Company employing you in effect at the time of the Change in
     Control;

          (vii)     the failure of the Corporation to obtain a satisfactory
     agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement,
     as contemplated in Section 6 hereof; or

          (viii)    any purported termination of your employment that is not
     effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination satisfying the requirements of
     Subsection (e) hereof (and, if applicable, the requirements of Subsections
     (b) and (c) hereof), which purported termination shall not be effective for
     purposes of this Agreement .

        For purposes of this subsection, any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by you shall be conclusive.  In addition, your right to terminate
your employment pursuant to this subsection shall not be affected by your
incapacity due to physical or mental illness and your continued employment shall
not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any
circumstance constituting Good Reason hereunder.

        (e) Any purported termination of your employment with the Cadmus
Companies by the Corporation or by you shall be communicated by written Notice
of Termination to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 8.

        5.  Compensation upon Termination during the Employment Period.
            ----------------------------------------------------------
Following a Change in Control, you shall be entitled to the following benefits
upon termination of your employment with the Cadmus Companies provided that such
termination occurs during the Employment Period:

        (a) If your employment is terminated by reason of your death during
the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to your legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for
(i) payment of your Base Salary (as defined in Section 5(g) hereof) through the
Date of Termination at the same rate in effect at such date, and (ii) all other
amounts to which you are entitled under any compensation plan or any other plan,
policy, or arrangement of the Cadmus Companies, at the time such payments are
due.

        (b) During any period that you fail to perform your full-time duties
with the Cadmus Companies as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental
illness, you shall continue to receive, until this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof, your Base Salary (as defined in Section 5(g))
at the rate in effect at the commencement of any such period, together with all
compensation payable to you under any long-term disability plan maintained by
the Cadmus Companies in your name or for your benefit or other similar plan
during such period. Thereafter, your benefits shall be determined under the
retirement, insurance and other compensation programs of the Cadmus Companies in
which you participate in accordance with the terms of such programs; however,
your receipt of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the
Cadmus Companies in your name or for your benefit will not be affected by your
termination under this Agreement.

        (c) If, during the Employment Period, your employment with the Cadmus
Companies shall be terminated by the Corporation for Cause or by you other than
for Good Reason, you shall be entitled to your full Base Salary (as defined in
Section 5(g)) through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect at the time
Notice of Termination is given, plus all other amounts to which you are entitled
under any compensation
<PAGE>

Joseph J. Ward
Page 6


plan of the Cadmus Companies at the time such payments are due, and the Cadmus
Companies shall have no further obligations to you under this Agreement.

          (d) If, during the Employment Period, your employment with the Cadmus
Companies shall be terminated by you for Good Reason or by the Corporation other
than for Cause, death, or Disability, then you shall be entitled to the benefits
provided below:

              (i)   the Corporation shall pay to you your full Base Salary (as
     defined in Section 5(g) hereof) through the Date of Termination at the rate
     in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given, no later than the
     fifth day following the Date of Termination, plus all other amounts to
     which you are entitled under any compensation plan of the Cadmus Companies,
     at the time such payments are due;

              (ii)  in lieu of any further salary or bonus payments to you for
     periods subsequent to the Date of Termination, you shall be paid as
     severance pay to you, at the time and in the manner specified in Subsection
     (e), a severance payment (the "Severance Payment") equal to the product of
     (A) your Base Salary (as defined in Section 5(g) hereof), and (B) a number
     (the "Payment/Benefit Factor") determined by dividing by 52 the sum of (I)
     three times the number of full years that you have been employed by the
     Cadmus Companies, and (II) three times each $10,000 of your annual salary
     (that is, excluding bonus) as in effect at the Date of Termination;
     provided, however, that in no event shall such Payment/Benefit Factor be
     less than 1 nor greater than 2, and provided, further, that in no event
     shall such amount exceed the amount of your Base Salary (as defined in
     Section 5(g)), on an undiscounted basis, which you would have received had
     you remained in the employ of the Cadmus Companies until your "Normal
     Retirement Date" (as defined in the Corporation's Pension Plan (or any
     successor thereto) (the "Pension Plan"));

              (iii) a separate lump-sum supplemental retirement benefit (the
     amount of such benefit shall be hereinafter referred to as the
     "Supplemental Retirement Amount") equal to the difference between (A) the
     actuarial equivalent (utilizing for this purpose the actuarial assumptions
     utilized in determining benefit cash-outs with respect to the Corporation's
     Pension Plan during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective
     Date) of the benefit payable under the Pension Plan and any supplemental
     and/or excess benefit plan of the Corporation providing benefits for you
     (the "SERP") which you would receive if your employment continued at the
     compensation level in effect at the Date of Termination for the remainder
     of the Employment Period, assuming for this purpose that all accrued
     benefits are fully vested and that benefit accrual formulas are no less
     advantageous to you than those in effect during the 90-day period
     immediately proceeding the Effective Date, and (B) the actuarial equivalent
     (utilizing for this purpose the actuarial assumptions utilized in
     determining benefit cash outs with respect to the Pension Plan during the
     90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date) of your actual
     vested benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the Pension Plan and the
     SERP;

              (iv)  except as provided in (iii) above, your participation in,
     and terminating distribution and vested rights under, the Corporation's
     Pension Plan and other plans of deferred compensation of the Cadmus
     Companies shall be governed by the terms of those respective plans;
<PAGE>

Joseph J. Ward
Page 7


              (v)   the Corporation shall pay to you all legal fees and expenses
     incurred by you as a result of such termination, including all such fees
     and expenses, if any, incurred in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or
     benefit provided by this Agreement or in connection with any tax audit or
     proceeding to the extent attributable to the application of Section 4999 of
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") to any payment
     or benefit provided hereunder;

              (vi)  for a period of years (or portion thereof) (the "Payment
     Period") equal to the Payment/Benefit Factor after such termination or
     until your "Normal Retirement Date" (as defined in the Corporation's
     Pension Plan), whichever first occurs, the Corporation shall arrange to
     provide you with life, disability, accident and group health insurance
     benefits substantially similar to those which you were receiving under the
     welfare programs of the Cadmus Companies immediately prior to the Notice of
     Termination. Benefits otherwise receivable by you pursuant to this clause
     (vi) shall be reduced to the extent comparable benefits are actually
     received by you from any source (including a subsequent employer) during
     such period following your termination, and any such benefits actually
     received by you shall be reported to the Corporation; and

              (vii) for a period of twelve (12) months following such
     termination, the Corporation shall pay the expenses of such outplacement
     services as you may require, with such services to be performed by such
     agency as the Corporation shall designate.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the payments and
benefits provided to you, or for your benefit, under this Agreement or under any
other plan or agreement which become payable or are taken into account as
"parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code as a result
of a Change in Control or your termination of employment relating thereto (the
"Total Parachute Payments") would result in your being entitled to "excess
parachute payments" as defined in Section 280G of the Code, the payments and
benefits provided to you, or for your benefit, under this Agreement shall be
reduced (but not below zero) to the extent necessary so that no payment to be
made, or benefit to be provided, to you or for your benefit under this Agreement
or any other plan or agreement would result in "excess parachute payments" as
defined in Section 280G of the Code, provided, however that such reduction shall
not apply unless your net after-tax benefit if such reduction were made shall
exceed your net after-tax benefit if such reduction were not made. "Net after-
tax benefit" shall mean the sum of (x) the Total Parachute Payments which you
receive or are then entitled to receive, less (y) the amount of federal, state
and local income and employment taxes payable by you with respect to the Total
Parachute Payments, less (z) the amount of excise taxes imposed with respect to
the Total Parachute Payments by Section 4999 of the Code. All determinations
regarding such reduction shall be made by tax counsel selected by the
Corporation and shall be based on the maximum applicable marginal tax rates for
each year in which such payments and benefits shall be paid or provided to you
or for your benefit (based upon the rate in effect for such year at the time of
the first payment of the foregoing and, as appropriate as determined by such tax
counsel, the taxable wage base for employment tax purposes).

          (e) The payment provided for in Subsection (d)(ii), shall be made in a
lump-sum not later than the 30th day following the Date of Termination.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Subsection (e) or in Subsection
(d)(ii), you may elect to receive, in lieu of a lump-sum Severance Payment, the
benefits described in Subsection (d)(ii) in equal monthly installments
commencing on the first day of the month following the Date of Termination and
ending on the first to occur of (A) the first day of the last month within the
Payment Period, or (B) the first day of the month in which occurs your "Normal
Retirement Date" (as defined in the Corporation's Pension Plan).
<PAGE>

Joseph J. Ward
Page 8

          (f) Except as provided in Subsection (d)(vi) hereof you shall not be
required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Section 5 by
seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment or
benefit provided for in this Section 5 be reduced by any compensation earned by
you as the result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by
offset against any amount claimed to be owed by you to any Cadmus Company, or
otherwise.

          (g) For purposes of this Agreement, your "Base Salary" shall mean the
greater of (i) the annual salary and bonus paid to you by the Cadmus Companies
at the date of this Agreement, or (ii) the annual salary and bonus payable to
you by the Cadmus Companies during the fiscal year in which a Change in Control
occurs.

          6.  Successors:  Binding Agreement.
              ------------------------------

          (a) This Agreement is personal to you and without the prior written
consent of the Corporation shall not be assignable by you otherwise than by will
or the laws of descent and distribution.  This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of, and be enforceable by, your legal representatives.

          (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon,
the Corporation and its successors and assigns.

          (c) The Corporation will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Corporation to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Corporation would be required to perform it if no such
succession had taken place.  As used in this Agreement, "Corporation" shall mean
the Corporation as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or
assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.

          7.  Resolution of Disputes. If there shall be any dispute between the
              ----------------------
Corporation and you (i) in the event of any termination of your employment with
the Cadmus Companies by the Corporation, whether such termination was for Cause,
or (ii) in the event of any termination of employment with the Cadmus Companies
by you, whether Good Reason existed, then, unless and until there is a final,
nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction declaring that such
termination was for Cause or that the determination by you of the existence of
Good Reason was not made in good faith, the Corporation shall pay all amounts,
and provide all benefits, to you and/or your family or other beneficiaries, as
the case may be, that the Corporation would be required to pay or provide
pursuant to Section 5(d) as though such termination were by the Corporation
without Cause or by you with Good Reason; provided, however, that the
Corporation shall not be required to pay any disputed amounts pursuant to this
Section 7 except upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of you to repay
all such amounts to which you are ultimately adjudged by such court not to be
entitled.

          8.  Notice. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other
              ------
communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed to the respective addresses set forth on the first page of this
Agreement, provided that all notice to the Corporation shall be directed to the
attention of the Board with a copy to the Secretary of the Corporation, or to
such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in
accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be effective
only upon receipt.
<PAGE>

Joseph J. Ward
Page 9


          9.  Miscellaneous.
              -------------

          (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without reference to principles
of conflict of laws.  The captions of this Agreement are not part of the
provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.

          (b) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.

          (c) The Corporation may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld
pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

          (d) Your or the Corporation's failure to insist upon strict compliance
with any provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or the
failure to assert any right you or the Corporation may have hereunder,
including, without limitation, your right to terminate your employment for Good
Reason pursuant to Section 4(d) or the Corporation's right to terminate your
employment for Cause pursuant to Section 4(c), shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.

          (e) You and the Corporation acknowledge that, except as may otherwise
be provided under any other written agreement between you and the Corporation,
your employment by the Cadmus Companies is "at will" and if, prior to the
Effective Date, your employment with the Cadmus Companies terminates, then you
shall have no rights under this Agreement.

          (f) Prior to the Effective Date, this Agreement may be amended,
modified, or terminated by the Corporation, which amendment, modification, or
termination shall be binding and effective without any requirement for
notification of, or consent by, you.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, on or after
the Effective Date, this Agreement may not be amended, modified, or terminated
otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their
respective successors and legal representatives.

          10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement
              ----------------
of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and
supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements,
communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any
officer, employee or representative of any party hereto; and any prior agreement
of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is
hereby terminated and canceled.

          If this letter sets forth our agreement on the subject matter hereof,
kindly sign and return to the Corporation the enclosed copy of this letter,
which will then constitute our agreement on this subject.

                                        Sincerely,

                                        CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION


                                        By ________________________________
                                        Name:  David E. Bosher
                                        Title: Senior Vice President and CFO
<PAGE>

Joseph J. Ward
Page 10


Accepted and agreed to:



_________________________________
Joseph J. Ward