Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.11

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                             --------------------

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of July 1, 2000, by
and between BRUCE V. THOMAS ("Thomas") and CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
(the "Company"), a Virginia corporation.

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to appoint Thomas as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, and Thomas desires to accept such appointment
with the Company; and

     WHEREAS, Thomas and the Company have decided to enter into this Agreement
to provide for the terms of Thomas' employment in such position;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual agreements
and understandings set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Thomas and the
Company hereby agree as follows:

     1.   Position and Duties.  (a)  The Company hereby appoints Thomas as the
          -------------------
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company during the term of this
Agreement.

     (b)  During the term of this Agreement, Thomas agrees to devote
substantially all of his business time, attention and energy to the business of
the Company and any other activities which may be reasonably assigned to him by
the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and which are appropriate
for the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Thomas agrees
to use his best efforts to promote the interests of the Company. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Thomas may serve as an outside director of one or more other
companies, participate in industry and other trade groups, accept public
speaking engagements and otherwise undertake charitable, civic, community and
personal activities; provided that such activities do not, individually or in
the aggregate, unreasonably interfere with Thomas' performance of his duties for
the Company and do not harm the Company's interests or reputation in any
material respect.

     (c)  Thomas agrees to abide by the Cadmus Code of Conduct, a copy of which
has previously been provided to Thomas, and all other material Company policies,
as such Code of Conduct and other material policies may be amended from time to
time.

     2.   Term of Agreement.  Employment under this Agreement will begin on the
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date hereof and will terminate on June 30, 2003, unless Thomas's employment is
earlier terminated pursuant to Section 4 below or unless the term of this
Agreement is extended pursuant to this Section 2. Subject to Section 4(a) below,
the term of this Agreement will be automatically extended for successive one (1)
year periods, beginning on July 1, 2001, and continuing on each July 1
thereafter (each, an "Extension Date") so as to terminate three (3) years after
the applicable Extension Date, unless the Company gives Thomas written notice,
at least ninety (90) days prior to the applicable Extension Date, that the term
hereof will not be so extended. June
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30, 2003, or the anniversary thereof to which the term of this Agreement has
been extended under this Section 2 is referred to hereinafter as the "Scheduled
Termination Date."

     3.   Compensation and Benefits.  (a)  The Company agrees that Thomas'
          -------------------------
annual salary will be $375,000 for the Company's fiscal year beginning July 1,
2000, and ending June 30, 2001 ("Fiscal Year 2001"), payable in accordance with
the Company's regular payroll practices.  Thomas' annual salary will be reviewed
by the Board annually thereafter, but in no event will such annual salary be
less than $375,000 per year in any subsequent year during Thomas' employment
hereunder.  Thomas' annual salary will be subject to withholding and deductions
to the extent required by applicable law or taxing authorities or as Thomas may
authorize.

     (b)  In addition, the Company agrees that Thomas will be eligible for a
bonus under the Company's short-term Executive Incentive Plan (together with any
successor plan, the "Executive Incentive Plan") for Fiscal Year 2001 in an
amount that the Board, in its sole discretion, determines to be earned and
payable under the terms of the Executive Incentive Plan, with Thomas' "target"
bonus under the Executive Incentive Plan for Fiscal Year 2001 being set at sixty
percent (60%) of his annual salary for Fiscal Year 2001, or $225,000, and with
such bonus to be paid, if awarded, in accordance with the Company's customary
practices and procedures.  Thomas will also be eligible to be considered for
bonuses under the Executive Incentive Plan (and any other plans providing
bonuses to senior executive officers of the Company) for subsequent fiscal years
of the Company.  All such bonuses will be subject to withholding and deductions
to the extent required by applicable law or taxing authorities or as Thomas may
authorize.

     (c)  The Company agrees that, on August 8, 2000, the Company will award
Thomas options to purchase 15,000 shares of the Company's common stock under the
Company's 1990 Long Term Incentive Stock Plan (together with any successor plan,
the "Stock Option Plan") at a price per share equal to the fair market value per
share of the Company's common stock as of the date of award.  Thomas will also
be eligible to be considered for subsequent stock option awards under and as
provided in the Stock Option Plan.  All such options will be subject to the
Company's customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, terms
and conditions regarding exercisability, vesting and performance standards.

     (d)  Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(g) below, Thomas will be
eligible during Thomas' employment hereunder to participate in (i) any and all
employee benefit plans, medical insurance plans, retirement plans, stock plans
and other benefit plans, and (ii) any and all other employee incentive and
benefit programs (including, without limitation, programs providing allowances,
reimbursement of expenses and other perquisites), as such plans and programs are
in effect from time to time for senior executives of the Company.  Such
participation will be subject to the terms of the applicable plan and program
documents and the Company's generally applied policies.  Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Company specifically agrees that, during
Thomas' employment hereunder, Thomas will remain designated as an "Eligible
Employee" under and a participant in the Company's Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan (the "SERP") and will remain eligible to participate in the
Company's Non-Qualified Thrift Plan for so long as those plans provide for
active participation by any employee of the Company.

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     4.   Termination of Employment and Severance Payments.  (a)  Thomas
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acknowledges that he is employed at the will of the Company and that his
employment may be terminated by the Company at any time with or without cause,
for any reason or for no reason.  This Agreement is not intended and will not be
construed so as to create any right of Thomas to continued employment.  The
Company may terminate Thomas' employment at any time without Cause (as defined
below) by providing thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Thomas
("Termination Without Cause").  The Company may terminate Thomas' employment for
Cause effective as of the date of notice by providing written notice to Thomas
("Termination With Cause").  The Company may terminate Thomas' employment if the
Board reasonably determines that Thomas is unable to perform his duties by
reason of Total Disability (as defined below) by providing ten (10) days' prior
written notice to Thomas.  Thomas may resign as an employee at any time for
Employee Cause (as defined below) by providing thirty (30) days' prior written
notice to the Company ("Termination for Employee Cause").  Thomas may also
resign as an employee at any time, for any other reason or for no reason, by
providing thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the Company ("Resignation").

     (b)  (1)  In the event of a Termination Without Cause or a Termination
for Employee Cause, the Company agrees to pay Thomas each of the following:  (i)
the Standard Termination Payments (as defined below); plus (ii) an amount per
year equal to the Salary/Bonus Continuation Payment (as defined below), subject
to applicable withholding and deductions, for the period (the "Severance
Period") beginning on the effective date of the Termination Without Cause or the
Termination for Employee Cause, as applicable, and ending on the second
anniversary of the effective date of the Termination Without Cause or the
Termination for Employee Cause, as applicable; provided that, in the case of a
Termination for Employee Cause resulting from the Company's giving Thomas
written notice under Section 2 above that the term hereof will not be extended,
the Severance Period will end thirty (30) days after the second anniversary of
the date on which Thomas receives such written notice from the Company; plus
(iii) an amount equal to the Supplemental Pension Payment (as defined below);
plus (iv) if Thomas is not then fully vested in his accrued benefit under the
SERP and if there is a Change in Control (as defined below) during the Severance
Period, an amount equal to the SERP Equivalent Payment (as defined below); plus
(v) an amount equal to the maximum matching contribution Thomas would have
received under the Company's Thrift Savings Plan and the Company's Non-Qualified
Thrift Plan but for the termination of his employment based on the Salary/Bonus
Continuation Payment and determined on the basis of the terms of such plans as
in effect (A) on the date of Thomas' termination of employment if the payment is
made in a lump sum or (B) for each applicable payment period if the payment is
made in normal increments on the Company's regularly scheduled payroll dates and
bonus payment dates during the Severance Period; plus (vi) an amount equal to
the cash allowances, reimbursement of expenses and other cash perquisites Thomas
would have received during the Severance Period if he had remained President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company during the Severance Period.  The Company
will pay the amounts described in clauses (i), (iii) and (vi) above within
thirty (30) days after the effective date of the Termination Without Cause or
the Termination for Employee Cause, as applicable.  The Company will, in its
discretion, pay the amounts described in clauses (ii) and (v) above in a lump
sum or in normal increments on the Company's regularly scheduled payroll dates
and bonus payment dates during the Severance Period.  The Company will pay the
amount described in clause (iv) above within thirty (30) days after the
applicable Change in Control occurs.

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          (2)  In addition, in the event of a Termination Without Cause or a
Termination for Employee Cause, the Company agrees that all of Thomas' stock
options granted by the Company to him, whether now outstanding or hereafter
granted, will be fully vested and exercisable for eighteen (18) months after the
effective date of the Termination Without Cause or the Termination for Employee
Cause, as applicable, but in no event beyond the maximum term specified in the
applicable option agreement, and this Section will be deemed to be an amendment
to each such option agreement providing for such vesting and exercise.

          (3)  Finally, in the event of a Termination Without Cause or a
Termination for Employee Cause, the Company agrees that Thomas and his eligible
family members will be entitled to participate during the Severance Period in
Cadmus' welfare benefit plans on the same basis made available to eligible
active employees of the Company, subject to the Company's right to modify such
welfare benefit plans from time to time, subject in the case of any welfare
coverage other than group health coverage to any termination of coverage imposed
by the terms of the applicable insurance policies (which the Company agrees to
make a good faith effort to have the insurer waive) and subject to the Company's
right to substitute at any time any individual or other group insurance
coverage(s) providing at least comparable coverage.  Such group health coverage
shall be considered part of Thomas' COBRA coverage.  Thomas will be responsible
for the normal contribution to the cost of maintaining his and his eligible
family members' participation in those welfare benefit plans (determined as
though he were an active eligible employee).  Subject to any limitation under
applicable tax law, Thomas may participate in Cadmus' welfare benefit plans by
making pre-tax salary reduction contributions from the amount due to him under
this Section 4(b).

          (4)  Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement,
during the Severance Period, Thomas will not be entitled to accrue additional
benefits under or to otherwise continue to be an active participant in the
Company's Pension Plan, the Company's Thrift Savings Plan, the Company's Non-
Qualified Thrift Plan, the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan, the SERP or any
other employee pension benefit plan of the Company.

     (c)  In the event of a Termination With Cause or a Resignation, Thomas
agrees that he will not be entitled to any compensation, bonus or benefits under
this Agreement for the period after the written notice of Termination With Cause
or the Resignation, as applicable, is effective, other than his earned and
unpaid base salary through the effective date of the Termination With Cause or
the Resignation, as applicable, and any other payments or benefits required to
be paid or provided to Thomas by applicable law.

     (d)  In the event that this Agreement terminates by its terms on the
Scheduled Termination Date, the Company agrees to pay Thomas the Standard
Termination Payments. The Company will pay such Standard Termination Payments
within thirty (30) days after the Scheduled Termination Date. After the
termination of this Agreement on the Scheduled Termination Date, neither Thomas
nor any of his family members will be entitled to accrue additional benefits
under or to otherwise continue to be an active participant in any of Cadmus'
welfare benefit plans or employee pension benefit plans, except as required by
COBRA or any other applicable law.

     (e)  In the event that the Company elects to terminate the employment of
Thomas because of his Total Disability, the Company agrees to pay to Thomas (i)
the Standard

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Termination Payments, and (ii) an amount equal to the Supplemental Disability
Payment (as defined below), and Thomas will be entitled to such disability
payments as may be provided under the terms of the Company's group long-term
disability policy for employees generally (the "Disability Policy") and such
other employee benefits as may be provided under the terms of the Company's
other employee benefit plans. The Company will pay the amounts described in
clause (i) above within thirty (30) days after the effective date of the
termination because of Thomas' Total Disability, and the Company will, in its
discretion, pay the amounts described in clause (ii) above in a lump sum or in
increments on the dates that correspond to the dates on which payments under the
Disability Policy are payable.

     (f)  In the event Thomas' employment terminates on account of his death
(i) the Company agrees to pay to Thomas' surviving spouse, or, if none, his
estate, the Standard Termination Payments, (ii) the Company agrees to pay to
Thomas' beneficiaries (as properly designated in writing by Thomas) death
benefits, if any, under the Company's employee benefit plans, and (iii) the
Company agrees to pay to Thomas' beneficiaries (as properly designated by Thomas
under the applicable plans), or, if none, his estate, any benefit under any
benefit plan that would otherwise have been due to Thomas at year end, prorated
up to the time of Thomas' death as provided in the applicable plans.

     (g)  Except as otherwise provided in Section 9 below, the amounts to be
paid and the other benefits to be provided to Thomas under this Section 4, if
any, are in lieu of any amounts or other benefits Thomas would otherwise be
entitled to receive under any severance plan or policy now in effect or
hereafter adopted by the Company, and Thomas agrees that he will have no right
to receive any amount or other benefit under any such severance plan or policy.

     (h)  For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms will have the
following meanings:

          (i)  "Cause" means:  (1) Thomas is convicted of, or pleads nolo
     contendere to, any felony involving intentional injury to any person or
     property, fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (2) Thomas is materially
     derelict in the performance of his duties or refuses to perform duties
     reasonably assigned to him by the Board which are appropriate for the
     President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, provided that no such
     dereliction or refusal will constitute "Cause" hereunder unless (A) Thomas
     shall have received written notice of such dereliction or refusal from the
     Board (specifying in detail the facts and circumstances on which the Board
     is relying) and a demand that the dereliction or refusal cease at least
     thirty (30) days prior to any termination of Thomas' employment as a result
     thereof, and (B) Thomas shall have failed to cure such dereliction or
     refusal during such thirty (30) day period; (3) Thomas takes any action or
     omits to take any action which constitutes willful misconduct or gross
     negligence; or (4) Thomas engages in fraudulent or dishonest behavior in
     violation of the Code of Conduct or engages in behavior which constitutes
     sexual harassment in violation of the Code of Conduct;

          (ii) "Change in Control" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
     the Employee Retention Agreement (as defined in Section 9 below);

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          (iii)  "Employee Cause" means:  (1) the Company's material breach of
     this Agreement and the Company's failure to remedy such breach within
     thirty (30) days after it receives written notice thereof from Thomas; (2)
     the assignment to Thomas of any additional duties or the withdrawal from
     Thomas of any of his current responsibilities or authority which assignment
     or withdrawal materially adversely alters his position (including status,
     offices, titles and reporting requirements) as it exists on the date of
     this Agreement; (3) the failure of the Company to continue to allow Thomas
     to participate in the Executive Incentive Plan, the Stock Option Plan or
     any other plan which is material to his total compensation in a manner
     which is consistent with his performance and the participation of other
     senior executives of the Company; (4) receipt by Thomas of written notice
     from the Company under Section 2 above indicating that the term hereof will
     not be extended; (5) any relocation of the Company's headquarters to a
     location outside of a 25-mile radius of Richmond, Virginia; or (6)
     termination of the Company's business or its day-to-day operations;

          (iv)   "Salary/Bonus Continuation Payment" means:  the average annual
     total of base salary and bonuses actually payable to Thomas by the Company
     (without regard to Thomas' elective deferral of payment thereof) for the
     three most recently ended fiscal years of the Company; provided that,
     solely for purposes of calculating the amount of the Salary/Bonus
     Continuation Payment hereunder, Thomas' base salary for the fiscal years of
     the Company ended June 30, 1998, June 30, 1999, and June 30, 2000 will be
     deemed to be $375,000;

          (v)    "SERP Equivalent Payment" means: a lump sum amount equal to the
     difference between (1) the actuarial equivalent of Thomas' accrued benefit
     under the SERP, and (2) the actuarial equivalent of Thomas' actual vested
     accrued benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the SERP, with "actuarial
     equivalent" being determined for purposes of this definition utilizing the
     actuarial assumptions utilized in determining benefit cash-outs with
     respect to the Company's Pension Plan on the January 1 immediately
     preceding the applicable Change in Control;

          (vi)   "Standard Termination Payments" means:  the sum of (1) Thomas'
     earned and unpaid salary through the effective date of the termination of
     his employment with the Company, (2) any bonus agreed to by the Company
     that has accrued but not yet been paid to Thomas on the effective date of
     the termination of his employment with the Company, (3) additional salary
     in lieu of Thomas' accrued and unused vacation, (4) any unreimbursed
     business and entertainment expenses in accordance with the Company's
     policies and (5) any other amounts reimbursable to Thomas in accordance
     with the Company's plans and policies;

          (vii)  "Supplemental Disability Payment" means:  the difference
     between (1) the amount (not to exceed 60% of Thomas' base salary) Thomas
     would have been paid under the Disability Policy if the Disability Policy
     did not contain a cap on the payments payable thereunder, and (2) the
     amount actually paid to Thomas under the Disability Policy and any other
     disability policy (group or individual) for which the premiums are paid by
     the Company;

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          (viii)  "Supplemental Pension Payment" means:  a lump sum amount equal
     to the difference between (1) the actuarial equivalent of the benefit
     payable under the Company's Pension Plan which Thomas would have received
     if his employment had continued at the compensation level in effect on the
     effective date of termination of Thomas' employment for the remainder of
     the Severance Period, assuming for this purpose that all accrued benefits
     are fully vested and that benefit accrual formulas are no less advantageous
     to Thomas than those in effect on the January 1 immediately preceding the
     effective date of termination of Thomas' employment, but taking into
     account any cessation of accruals for all non-union employees under the
     Pension Plan, and (2) the actuarial equivalent of Thomas's actual vested
     benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the Company's Pension Plan, with
     "actuarial equivalent" being determined for purposes of this definition
     utilizing the actuarial assumptions utilized in determining benefit cash-
     outs with respect to the Company's Pension Plan on the January 1
     immediately preceding the effective date of termination of Thomas'
     employment; and

          (ix)    "Total Disability" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
     the Disability Policy.

     5.   Confidential Information.  (a)  In the event that Thomas' employment
          ------------------------
with the Company is terminated for any reason, Thomas agrees that he will not at
any time thereafter use for his own benefit or the benefit of any other Person
(as defined below), or disclose, divulge or communicate to any other Person, any
Confidential Information (as defined below), except as specifically authorized
by the Company in writing or except as required by applicable law.

     (b)  For purposes of this Agreement, "Person" means any corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, sole proprietorship, limited liability
company, unincorporated business association, individual or other entity; and
"Confidential Information" means all confidential information of the Company and
its subsidiaries and affiliates, including, without limitation, the Intellectual
Property (as defined in Section 6(c) below); other trade secrets and inventions;
acquisition and merger plans and information; corporate communications, public
relations, promotional, marketing and advertising plans and programs; research
and development projects; plans and strategies for current and future business
development; financial and statistical data; customer information, including,
without limitation, customer names, relationships, lists, sales and account
records; sales and marketing strategies and pricing matters; and all other
information of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates not
generally known in the businesses in which the Company or its applicable
subsidiaries and affiliates are engaged.

     6.   Intellectual Property.  (a)  Thomas agrees that, as between Thomas
          ---------------------
and the Company, the Company owns and has full and exclusive rights to all of
the Intellectual Property, including, without limitation, all related
copyrights, trademarks and patents.  Without limiting the generality of the
preceding sentence, Thomas further agrees that all of the Intellectual Property,
to the extent applicable, constitutes "works made for hire" in favor of the
Company under the copyright laws of the United States.  To the extent that a
court finds that Thomas would otherwise have any rights in or to any of the
Intellectual Property, Thomas hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company all of
his right, title and interest in and to the Intellectual Property and all
related copyrights, trademarks and patents.

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     (b)  Thomas agrees that, upon the request of the Company and at the
Company's expense, Thomas will execute, deliver, file and record all further
instruments and documents (including, without limitation, registrations and
assignments of copyrights, trademarks, patents and other intellectual property
rights), and take all further action, as the Company deems necessary or prudent
in order to insure that the Company owns and has full and exclusive rights to
all of the Intellectual Property.

     (c)  For purposes of this Agreement, the "Intellectual Property" means all
products, services, reports, studies, analyses, marketing strategies,
inventions, computer software, programs and applications, trade secrets,
developments, methods, processes, ideas, works, concepts and know-how, used or
useful in the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates,
which have been developed, created or reduced to practice by Thomas, whether
alone or in cooperation with others, during his employment with the Company, any
of its subsidiaries or any of their respective predecessors.

     7.   Restrictive Covenants.  (a)  In the event that Thomas' employment
          ---------------------
with the Company is terminated for any reason, Thomas agrees that, during the
period beginning on the effective date of such termination and ending on the
second anniversary of the effective date of such termination, he will not,
directly or indirectly:

          (i)    serve as an officer, director, employee, principal, partner,
     agent, contractor or consultant of or for, or otherwise have a financial
     interest in, any Prohibited Business (as defined in Section 7(c) below)
     which sells or offers to sell products or services in competition with the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the Geographic
     Territory (as defined in Section 7(c) below); provided that this covenant
     will not prevent Thomas from purchasing or owning not more than five
     percent (5%) of any class of securities of any corporation, whether or not
     such corporation is a Prohibited Business;

          (ii)   sell or offer to sell to any Person in the Geographic Territory
     any goods or services of any type then sold or offered by the Company or
     any of its subsidiaries or affiliates;

          (iii)  otherwise knowingly interfere with or cause a reduction or
     termination of the business between the Company or any of its subsidiaries
     or affiliates and any customer or prospective customer of the Company or
     any of its subsidiaries or affiliates;

          (iv)   hire or attempt to hire any person employed or engaged by the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or encourage or solicit
     any such person to terminate his or her employment or engagement with the
     Company or such subsidiary or affiliate of the Company;

          (v)    knowingly interfere with or cause a reduction or termination of
     the business relationship between the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
     affiliates and any business which supplies or supplied goods or services to
     the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates; or

          (vi)   make any public statement which is either intended to be or
     reasonably likely to be injurious or detrimental to the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries or affiliates

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     or which is derogatory to any current or former director, officer or
     employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

     (b)  Thomas acknowledges and agrees that, given the nature of the
businesses in which the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates are engaged
and given his past service as President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, the restrictive covenants contained in Section 7(a) above are
reasonable in the sense that they are no greater than is necessary to protect
the legitimate interests of the Company and not unduly harsh and oppressive in
curtailing Thomas' legitimate efforts to earn a livelihood. The parties
therefore intend that these restrictive covenants be enforced to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law. Each of these restrictive covenants is a
separate and independent contractual provision.

     (c)  For purpose of this Agreement, "Prohibited Business" means any
Person that is in competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates or that provides goods or services of any type provided by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; and "Geographic Territory"
means the United States, Western Europe and India.

     8.   Enforcement.  (a)  Thomas acknowledges and agrees that any violation
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by him of any of the confidentiality provisions of Section 5 above or any
violation by him of any of the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 7
above would result in irreparable harm and injuries to the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates, and Thomas therefore also acknowledges and agrees
that, in the event of any such violation by him, the Company will be entitled to
obtain from any court of competent jurisdiction preliminary and permanent
injunctive relief, damages and an equitable accounting of all earnings and
profits and to exercise all other rights and remedies to which the Company may
be entitled in connection therewith.

     (b)  In addition, Thomas further acknowledges and agrees that, in the event
of any violation by him of any of the confidentiality provisions of Section 5
above or any of the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 7, the Company
will have the right to withhold the balance of any amount that would otherwise
be due to him under Section 4(b) above.

     9.   Employee Retention Agreement.  Thomas and the Company are parties to
          ----------------------------
an Employee Retention Agreement dated June 27, 2000 (the "Employee Retention
Agreement"), which the parties agree will survive the execution of this
Agreement and will remain in full force and effect. In the event that there is
any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Employee
Retention Agreement, (i) the terms of this Agreement will control in the event
that neither a "Change in Control" (as defined in the Employee Retention
Agreement) nor any other cessation or termination of employment covered by the
Employee Retention Agreement has occurred, and (ii) the terms of the Employee
Retention Agreement will control in the event that either a "Change in Control"
(as defined in the Employee Retention Agreement) or another cessation or
termination of employment covered by the Employee Retention Agreement has
occurred.

     10.  Miscellaneous.  (a)  No modification, change or waiver of this
          -------------
Agreement or any term hereof will be binding, unless executed in writing by
Thomas and the Company evidencing the parties' respective intent to be bound
thereby.  No waiver of any of the terms of this Agreement will constitute a
waiver of any other term (whether or not similar), nor shall any such waiver
constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise specifically provided.

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     (b)  Thomas acknowledges and agrees that, because this is a contract for
his personal services, he is not entitled to assign, subcontract or transfer any
of the benefits provided to him or any of the obligations imposed on him by this
Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding on and will inure to the benefit of
any successors or assigns of the Company.

     (c)  All notices, requests and other communications to a party hereunder
will be in writing and will be given to such party at its address set forth
below or such other address as such party may hereafter specify in writing for
this purpose to the other party:

          If to Thomas:

               Bruce V. Thomas
               21 Clarke Road
               Richmond, Virginia 23226

          If to the Company:

               Cadmus Communications Corporation
               6620 West Broad Street, Suite 500
               Richmond, Virginia 23230
               Attn:  Chairman of the Board

     (d)  (i)  If any contest or dispute arises under this Agreement on or
before July 1, 2002, resulting from the actual or alleged failure or refusal of
the Company to perform fully in accordance with the terms hereof, the Company
agrees to reimburse Thomas, on a current, as-incurred basis, for all reasonable
legal fees and expenses, if any, incurred by Thomas in connection with such
contest or dispute (regardless of the result thereof).  Such reimbursement will
include, without limitation, the cost of attorneys' fees in reviewing this
Agreement in connection with such contest or dispute, in negotiating or
attempting to negotiate a settlement of such contest or dispute prior to Thomas'
making a claim or commencing an action or proceeding, in prosecuting such an
action or proceeding and in settling any matter relating to this Agreement.

          (ii) If any contest or dispute arises under this Agreement after July
1, 2002, resulting from the actual failure or refusal of the Company to perform
fully in accordance with the terms hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse
Thomas for all reasonable legal fees and expenses, if any, incurred by Thomas in
connection with such contest or dispute.  Such reimbursement will include,
without limitation, the cost of attorneys' fees in reviewing this Agreement in
connection with such contest or dispute, in negotiating or attempting to
negotiate a settlement of such contest or dispute prior to Thomas' making a
claim or commencing an action or proceeding, in prosecuting such an action or
proceeding and in settling any matter relating to this Agreement.

     (e)  This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to its conflicts of law
principles. Each of the parties hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of
the courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the event that any litigation
arising out of this Agreement occurs.

                                       10
<PAGE>

     (f)  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be
deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the
same instrument.

     (g)  Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 will survive the termination of this
Agreement.

     (h)  Subject to Section 9 hereof, this Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between Thomas and the Company with respect to the matters addressed
herein and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written
or oral, with respect to such matters.  There are no representations,
understandings or agreements of any nature or kind between the parties which are
not included herein.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Thomas has duly executed this Agreement and the Company
has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by its duly authorized
representative, all as of the day and year first above written.

                                         _______________________________________
                                         Bruce V. Thomas

                                         CADMUS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

                                         By_____________________________________
                                           G. Waddy Garrett
                                           Chairman, Executive Compensation and
                                            Organization Committee

                                       11<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.
<PAGE>

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
<PAGE>

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
<PAGE>

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

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