<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5



                              REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE


$4,500,000                                                    New York, New York
                                                                   April 3, 1997


            FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, UNIDIGITAL ELEMENTS (NY), INC.,
a New York corporation, UNIDIGITAL/CARDINAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation,
UNIDIGITAL ELEMENTS (SF), INC., a Delaware corporation, and UNIDIGITAL/BORIS
CORPORATION, a Massachusetts corporation (the "Borrowers"), hereby jointly and
severally, unconditionally promise to pay to the order of THE CHASE MANHATTAN
BANK (the "Lender"), at its office at 600 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10020
on the Maturity Date in lawful money of the United States of America and in
immediately available funds, the principal amount of (a) FOUR MILLION FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($4,500,000), or, if less, (b) the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of all Revolving Loans made by the Lender pursuant to the
Credit Agreement (referred to below). The Borrowers further agree, jointly and
severally, to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount outstanding hereunder
from time to time from the date hereof in like money at such office at the rates
and on the dates specified in the Credit Agreement.

            The holder of this Note is authorized to record on the schedule
annexed hereto or on a continuation thereof the date, Type and amount of each
Revolving Loan made pursuant to the Credit Agreement, each continuation thereof,
each conversion of all or a portion thereof to another Type, the date and amount
of each payment or repayment of principal thereof and, in the case of Eurodollar
Loans, the length of each Interest Period with respect thereto (which
recordation shall, in accordance with Section 2.08(c) of the Credit Agreement,
constitute prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information recorded);
provided, however, that the failure to make any such recordation shall not
affect the obligations of the Borrowers in respect of such Revolving Loans.

            This Note is the Revolving Credit Note referred to in the Credit
Agreement dated as of April 3, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement"), among the
Borrowers and the Lender, and is secured as provided therein and in the Security
Documents and is subject to optional and mandatory prepayment as set forth in
the Credit Agreement.

            Upon the occurrence of any one or more of the Events of Default
specified in the Credit Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this
Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable, all as
provided in the Credit Agreement.

            All parties now and hereafter liable with respect to this Note,
whether maker, principal, surety, guarantor, endorser or otherwise, hereby waive
presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind.
<PAGE>   2
            Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with their
defined meanings unless otherwise defined herein. This Note shall be governed
by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of
New York.

                                    UNIDIGITAL ELEMENTS (NY), INC.




                                    By:___________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                    UNIDIGITAL/CARDINAL CORPORATION



                                    By:___________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


                                    UNIDIGITAL ELEMENTS (SF), INC.



                                    By:___________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


                                    UNIDIGITAL/BORIS CORPORATION



                                    By:___________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:
<PAGE>   3
                                                                      SCHEDULE 1
                                                        TO REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE


                  LOANS, CONVERSIONS AND PAYMENTS OF ABR LOANS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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                                           Amount of        Amount of      Unpaid
                                           ABR Loans       Eurodollars    Principal
Date       Amount of      Amount of       Converted to        Loans       Balance       Notation
           ABR Loans      Principal     Eurodollar Loans  Converted to       of         Made By
                           Repaid                           ABR Loans     ABR Loans
<S>        <C>            <C>           <C>               <C>             <C>           <C>
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</TABLE>
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                                                                      SCHEDULE 2
                                                        TO REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE


               LOANS, CONVERSIONS AND PAYMENTS OF EURODOLLAR LOANS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================
                                            Amount of         Amount of          Unpaid
Date       Amount of       Amount of     Eurodollar Loan      ABR Loans         Principal
           Eurodollar      Principal      Converted to       Converted to       Balance of       Notation
             Loans          Repaid          ABR Loan       Eurodollar Loans   Eurodollar Loans    Made By
<S>        <C>            <C>           <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
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</TABLE>