Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

EXECUTION COPY
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                                BOWNE & CO., INC.

                   ------------------------------------------

                                 THIRD AMENDMENT
                         Dated as of September 17, 2003

                                       to

                            NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
                          Dated as of January 30, 2002

                   ------------------------------------------

Re:      $25,000,000 6.90% Senior Notes, Series A, due January 30, 2007
         $28,000,000 7.31% Senior Notes, Series B, due January 30, 2012
         $22,000,000 7.85% Senior Notes, Series C, due January 30, 2012

================================================================================

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                   THIRD AMENDMENT TO NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS

         THIS THIRD AMENDMENT dated as of September 17, 2003 (the or this "Third
Amendment") to the Note Purchase Agreements dated as of January 30, 2002 is
between BOWNE & CO., INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and each of
the institutions which is a signatory to this Third Amendment (collectively, the
"Noteholders").

                                    RECITALS:

         A.       The Company and each of the Noteholders have heretofore
entered into separate and several Note Purchase Agreements each dated as of
January 30, 2002, as amended by the First Amendment to Note Purchase Agreements
dated as of July 2, 2002 and the Second Amendment to Note Purchase Agreements
dated as of March 28, 2003 (collectively, as amended, the "Note Purchase
Agreements"). The Company has heretofore issued (a) $25,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of its 6.90% Senior Notes, Series A, due January 30, 2007 (the
"Series A Notes"), (b) $28,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.31%
Senior Notes, Series B, due January 30, 2012 (the "Series B Notes") and (c)
$22,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.85% Senior Notes, Series C, due
January 30, 2012 (the "Series C Notes;" the Series A Notes, the Series B Notes
and the Series C Notes being hereunder collectively referred to as the "Notes")
pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreements. The Noteholders are the holders of 80%
of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes.

         B.       The Company and the Noteholders now desire to amend the Note
Purchase Agreements in the respects, but only in the respects, hereinafter set
forth.

         C.       Capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective
meanings ascribed thereto in the Note Purchase Agreements, as amended by this
Third Amendment, unless herein defined or the context shall otherwise require.

         D.       All requirements of law have been fully complied with and all
other acts and things necessary to make this Third Amendment a valid, legal and
binding instrument according to its terms for the purposes herein expressed have
been done or performed.

         NOW, THEREFORE, upon the full and complete satisfaction of the
conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Third Amendment set forth in
SECTION 4.1 hereof, and in consideration of good and valuable consideration the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the
Noteholders do hereby agree as follows:

Section 1.        AMENDMENTS.

         Section 1.1 Section 1.2 of the Note Purchase Agreements shall be and is
hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                           "Section 1.2. Change in Interest Rate. (a) From
                  January 1, 2003 to and until the date on which the outstanding
                  principal amount of the Notes has been paid, the interest rate
                  on the Notes shall be adjusted as follows: (i) the interest
                  rate on the Series A Notes shall be increased by 25 basis
                  points (0.25%) to 7.15% per annum, (ii) the interest rate on
                  the
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                  Series B Notes shall be increased by 25 basis points
                  (0.25%) to 7.56% per annum and (iii) the interest rate on the
                  Series C Notes shall be increased by 25 basis points (0.25%)
                  to 8.10% per annum.

                           (b) (1) In addition to the adjustment in the
                  foregoing paragraph (a), from and after the effective date of
                  the Third Amendment to and until the date on which the Company
                  obtains from at least one Rating Agency an Investment Grade
                  rating in respect of the Notes, the interest rate on the Notes
                  shall be adjusted as follows: (i) the interest rate on the
                  Series A Notes shall be further increased by an additional 10
                  basis points (0.10%) to 7.25% per annum, (ii) the interest
                  rate on the Series B Notes shall be further increased by an
                  additional 10 basis points (0.10%) to 7.66% per annum and
                  (iii) the interest rate on the Series C Notes shall be further
                  increased by an additional 10 basis points (0.10%) to 8.20%
                  per annum. If after such date the Company fails to maintain
                  from such Rating Agency such an Investment Grade rating in
                  respect of the Notes the adjustments set forth in this SECTION
                  1.2(b) shall again apply.

                           (2) The Company shall notify the holders of the Notes
                  in writing, sent in the manner provided in SECTION 18, that it
                  has obtained such Investment Grade rating, which written
                  notice shall be accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the
                  holders of the Notes to such effect and certifying the
                  interest rate to be payable in respect of the Notes in
                  consequence thereof.

                           (c) Each holder of a Note shall use reasonable
                  efforts, at the Company's expense, to cooperate with any
                  reasonable request made by the Company in connection with any
                  rating appeal or application.

                           (d) The fees and expenses of the rating agency and
                  all other costs incurred in connection with obtaining or
                  appealing a rating of the Notes pursuant to this SECTION 1.2
                  shall be borne by the Company."

         Section 1.2 New Sections 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 shall be added in numerical
order to the Note Purchase Agreements and shall read as follows:

                           "Section 1.3. Prepayment Option. (a) Notice of
                  Prepayment Option. The Company will, within ten Business Days
                  following the issue and sale of its Convertible Indebtedness,
                  give written notice to each holder of Notes of such issuance.
                  Such notice shall contain and constitute an offer to prepay
                  Notes as described in subparagraph (b) of this SECTION 1.3.

                           (b) Offer to Prepay Notes. The offer to prepay Notes
                  contemplated by subparagraph (a) of this SECTION 1.3 shall be
                  an offer to prepay, in accordance with and subject to this
                  SECTION 1.3, the Notes held by each holder (in this case only,
                  "holder" in respect of any Note registered in the name of a
                  nominee for a disclosed beneficial owner shall

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                  mean such beneficial owner) in an aggregate principal amount
                  of $25,000,000 on a date to be specified in any acceptance of
                  such offer delivered pursuant to paragraph (c) of this SECTION
                  1.3. The principal amount of the Notes offered to be prepaid
                  shall be allocated among all of the Notes, without regard to
                  series at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as
                  practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts
                  thereof not theretofore called for prepayment. All prepayments
                  made pursuant to SECTION 1.3 shall be applied only to the
                  Notes of the holders who have elected to participate in such
                  prepayment.

                           (c) Acceptance/Rejection. A holder of Notes may
                  accept the offer to prepay made pursuant to this SECTION 1.3
                  by causing a notice of such acceptance to be delivered to the
                  Company not later than 10 Business Days following receipt of
                  such offer. A failure by a holder of Notes to respond to an
                  offer to prepay made pursuant to this SECTION 1.3 shall be
                  deemed to constitute a rejection of such offer by such holder.
                  Such acceptance shall specify the date on which the Notes held
                  by such holder are to be prepaid (the "Proposed Prepayment
                  Date").

                           (d) Prepayment. Prepayment of the Notes to be prepaid
                  pursuant to this SECTION 1.3 shall be at 100% of the principal
                  amount of such Notes offered to be prepaid, together with
                  interest on such Notes accrued to the date of prepayment, but
                  without Make-Whole Amount or other premium. The prepayment
                  shall be made on the Proposed Prepayment Date.

                           (e) Effect on Required Payments. The amount of each
                  payment of the principal of the Notes made pursuant to this
                  SECTION 1.3 shall be applied against and reduce each of the
                  then remaining principal payments due pursuant to SECTION 8.1
                  by a percentage equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
                  Notes so paid divided by the aggregate principal amount of the
                  Notes outstanding immediately prior to such payment.

                           Section 1.4. Put Option. (a) Notice of Put Option.
                  The Company will, within ten Business Days prior to the
                  commencement of the Put Option Period, give written notice to
                  each holder of Notes of the commencement of the Put Option
                  Period. Such notice shall contain and constitute an offer to
                  prepay Notes as described in subparagraph(b) of this SECTION
                  1.4.

                           (b) Offer to Prepay Notes. The offer to prepay Notes
                  contemplated by subparagraph (a) of this SECTION 1.4 shall be
                  an offer to prepay, in accordance with and subject to this
                  SECTION 1.4, all, but not less than all, the Notes held by
                  each holder (in this case only, "holder" in respect of any
                  Note registered in the name of a nominee for a disclosed
                  beneficial owner shall mean such beneficial owner) on a date
                  to be specified in any acceptance of such offer delivered
                  pursuant to paragraph (c) of this SECTION 1.4. All partial
                  prepayments made pursuant to SECTION

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                  1.4 shall be applied only to the Notes of the holders who have
                  elected to participate in such prepayment.

                           (c) Acceptance/Rejection. A holder of Notes may
                  accept the offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 1.4
                  by causing a notice of such acceptance to be delivered to the
                  Company not later than the termination of the Put Option
                  Period. A failure by a holder of Notes to respond to an offer
                  to prepay made pursuant to this SECTION 1.4 shall be deemed to
                  constitute a rejection of such offer by such holder. Such
                  acceptance shall specify the date on which the Notes held by
                  such holder are to be prepaid (the "Proposed Put Payment
                  Date"); provided, that such date shall be not less than 30
                  days after the date of such acceptance.

                           (d) Prepayment. Prepayment of the Notes to be prepaid
                  pursuant to this SECTION 1.4 shall be at 100% of the principal
                  amount of such Notes, together with interest on such Notes
                  accrued to the date of prepayment, but without Make-Whole
                  Amount or other premium. The prepayment shall be made on the
                  Proposed Put Payment Date.

                           (e) Effect on Required Payments. The amount of each
                  payment of the principal of the Notes made pursuant to this
                  SECTION 1.4 shall be applied against and reduce each of the
                  then remaining principal payments due pursuant to SECTION 8.1
                  by a percentage equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
                  Notes so paid divided by the aggregate principal amount of the
                  Notes outstanding immediately prior to such payment.

                           (f) Certain Definitions. "Put Option Period" shall
                  mean the period commencing on the date which is six months
                  prior to the first predetermined date on which a holder of the
                  Convertible Indebtedness may cause the Company to be obligated
                  to redeem all, or any part of, the Convertible Indebtedness
                  and terminating 10 days prior to such predetermined date.

                           Section 1.5. Maturity; Surrender, Etc. In the case of
                  each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this SECTION 1, the
                  principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and
                  become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment,
                  together with interest on such principal amount accrued to
                  such date. From and after such date, unless the Company shall
                  fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable:
                  together with the interest, as aforesaid, interest on such
                  principal amount shall cease to accrue. The principal amount
                  of any Note which is not to be prepaid pursuant to this
                  Section 1 shall (remain outstanding and shall continue to
                  accrue interest pursuant to the terms of this Agreement."

         Section 1.3 Section 10.2 of the Note Purchase Agreements shall be and
is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

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                           "Section 10.2. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The
                  Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not permit as at
                  the end of each fiscal quarter the ratio of (a) Consolidated
                  EBITDAR for the four immediately preceding fiscal quarters
                  (taken as a single accounting period) to (b) Consolidated
                  Fixed Charges for such fiscal period to be less than the
                  following at each date indicated below:

                  September 30, 2003                         1.30 to 1.00
                  December 31, 2003 and thereafter           1.50 to 1.00

         Section 1.4 Section 10.3 of the Note Purchase Agreements shall be and
is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                           Section 10.3. Limitations on Indebtedness. (a) The
                  Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not at any time
                  permit the ratio of (i) Consolidated Indebtedness to (ii)
                  Consolidated Total Capitalization to be greater than 0.55 to
                  1.00.

                           (b) The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will
                  not at any time permit the ratio of (i) Consolidated
                  Indebtedness to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the four
                  immediately preceding fiscal quarters (taken as a single
                  accounting period) to be greater than 3.25 to 1.00.

                           (c) The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will
                  not at any time permit the ratio of (i) Senior Indebtedness to
                  (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the four immediately preceding
                  fiscal quarters (taken as a single accounting period) to be
                  greater than 2.50 to 1.00."

         Section 1.5 Section 10.11 of the Note Purchase Agreements shall be
amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                           "Section 10.11. Acquisitions. The Company will not
                  make any Acquisition, or enter into any binding agreement to
                  make any Acquisition which is not contingent on obtaining the
                  consent of the Required Holders, or permit any of its
                  Restricted Subsidiaries so to do, except:

                           (a) Acquisitions by the Company or any of its
                  Subsidiaries of Investments permitted by Section 8.10 of the
                  Credit Agreement, as amended, waived or replaced from time to
                  time; and

                           (b) An Acquisition of one or more Operating Entities
                  (including, without limitation, Acquisitions of Capital Stock
                  of an Operating Entity or as a result of a merger or
                  consolidation with an Operating Entity which is not the
                  Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), provided
                  that (i) such Operating Entity is in the same line or lines of
                  business as the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) the Company
                  has provided evidence satisfactory to the holders of the Notes
                  that after giving effect to such

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                  Acquisition no Default or Event of Default would exist, (iii)
                  such Acquisition does not involve a "hostile" transaction, and
                  (iv) the aggregate consideration paid by the Company and its
                  Subsidiaries for such Acquisition, including assumption of
                  Indebtedness and the transfer of property (other than the
                  Capital Stock of the Company) does not exceed $100,000,000."

         Section 1.6 The following shall be added in numerical order as a new
Section 10.12 of the Note Purchase Agreements:

                           "Section 10.12. Amendment or Waivers of Certain
                  Documents. The Company will not enter into any oral or written
                  amendment, supplement, alteration, waiver or other
                  modification of any of the terms or provisions of the
                  Convertible Indebtedness if the effect or result of any such
                  amendment, supplement, alteration, waiver or other
                  modification is (a) to advance the scheduled rate of repayment
                  with respect to the Convertible Indebtedness, (b) to advance
                  the date of any required prepayment or repayment of the
                  Convertible Indebtedness, (c) to advance the date of any right
                  of the holder of the Convertible Indebtedness to cause the
                  Company to redeem all, or any part of, such Convertible
                  Indebtedness or (d) to permit the holders of the Convertible
                  Indebtedness to require repayment or repurchase of the
                  Convertible Indebtedness prior to the maturity date of the
                  Notes."

         Section 1.7 Section 11(e) of the Note Purchase Agreements shall be and
is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                  "(e)(i) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is in default
                  (as principal or as guarantor or other surety) in the payment
                  of any principal of or premium or make-Whole amount or
                  interest on any Indebtedness that is outstanding in an
                  aggregate principal amount of at least $15,000,000 beyond any
                  period of grace provided with respect thereto, or (ii) the
                  Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is in default in the
                  performance of or compliance with any term of any evidence of
                  any Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount
                  of at least $15,000,000 or of any mortgage, indenture or other
                  agreement relating thereto or any other condition exists, and
                  as a consequence of such default or condition such
                  Indebtedness has become, or has been declared, due and payable
                  before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled
                  dates of payment, or (iii) as a consequence of the occurrence
                  or continuation of any event or condition (other than the
                  passage of time, the right of the holder of Indebtedness to
                  convert such Indebtedness into equity interests, or the right
                  of the holder of the Convertible Indebtedness to cause the
                  Company to redeem all, or any part of, such Convertible
                  Indebtedness upon a predetermined date set forth in the
                  instrument governing such Convertible Indebtedness), the
                  Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has become obligated to
                  purchase or repay Indebtedness before its regular maturity or

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                  before its regularly scheduled dates of payment in an
                  aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least
                  $15,000,000; or"

         Section 1.8 The following definitions shall be added in alphabetical
order to Schedule B to the Note Purchase Agreements:

                  "Consolidated EBITDA" for any period, means the Consolidated
                  Net Income from continuing operations and before extraordinary
                  items (including, but not limited to: restructuring,
                  integration and asset impairment charges; expenses related to
                  acquisitions; gains or losses on asset sales; transaction
                  related expenses; royalty expense borne by the seller within
                  the trailing 12 months; provisions for doubtful accounts (net
                  of write-offs); and provision for deferred employee
                  compensation and retirement benefits) for such period, plus
                  the sum of, without duplication, each of the following with
                  respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, to the extent
                  utilized in determining such Consolidated Net Income: (a)
                  Interest Expense, (b) provision for federal, state and local
                  income taxes, and (c) depreciation and amortization (other
                  than amortization of debt discount); provided, however, all
                  non-cash income, expense, gains and losses to the extent
                  otherwise included in such Consolidated Net Income for such
                  period shall be excluded from the foregoing computation."

                  "Convertible Indebtedness means the subordinated convertible
                  indebtedness of the Company issued on or about September 15,
                  2003 in an aggregate principal amount of not more than
                  $90,000,000."

                  "Investment Grade" means a rating of (a) "BBB-" or better by
                  Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, (b) "Baa3" or better by
                  Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or (c) an equivalent rating by
                  Fitch Ratings Service, or their respective successors.

                  "Third Amendment" means that certain Third Amendment dated as
                  of September 17, 2003 to Note Purchase Agreements among the
                  Company and the holders of the Notes party thereto.

                  "Rating Agency" shall mean Standard & Poor's Rating Group and
                  Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

Section 2.        AFFIRMATION.

         The Company hereby acknowledges and affirms that upon the effectiveness
of this Third Amendment the interest rate on the Notes shall be as follows: (i)
the interest rate on the Series A Notes shall be 7.25% per annum, (ii) the
interest rate on the Series B Notes shall be 7.66% per annum and (iii) the
interest rate on the Series C Notes shall be 8.20% per annum.

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Section 3.        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

         Section 3.1 To induce the Noteholders to execute and deliver this Third
Amendment (which representations shall survive the execution and delivery of
this Third Amendment), the Company represents and warrants to the Noteholders
that:

                  (a) this Third Amendment has been duly authorized, executed
         and delivered by it and this Third Amendment constitutes the legal,
         valid and binding obligation, contract and agreement of the Company
         enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as
         enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
         moratorium or similar laws or equitable principles relating to or
         limiting creditors' rights generally;

                  (b) the Note Purchase Agreements, as amended by this Third
         Amendment, constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations,
         contracts and agreements of the Company enforceable against it in
         accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be
         limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
         similar laws or equitable principles relating to or limiting creditors'
         rights generally;

                  (c) the execution, delivery and, performance by the Company of
         this Third Amendment (i) has been duly authorized by all requisite
         corporate action and, if required, shareholder action, (ii) does not
         require the consent or approval of any governmental or regulatory body
         or agency, and (iii) will not (A) violate (1) any provision of law,
         statute, rule or regulation or its certificate of incorporation or
         bylaws, (2) any order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of
         any other agency or government binding upon it, or (3) any provision of
         any material indenture, agreement or other instrument to which it is a
         party or by which its properties or assets are or may be bound,
         including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement or (B) result in a
         breach or constitute (alone or with due notice or lapse of time or
         both) a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument
         referred to in clause (iii)(A)(3) of this Section 3.1(c);

                  (d) as of the date hereof and after giving effect to this
         Third Amendment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred which is
         continuing; and

                  (e) all the representations and warranties contained in
         Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreements are true and correct in all
         material respects with the same force and effect as if made by the
         Company on and as of the date hereof except that for purposes of this
         paragraph, the following words shall be deemed to have been added to
         the end of the parenthetical contained in Section 5.10 of the Note
         Purchase Agreements: ", the sale of a headquarters building used by
         Bowne of Chicago, Inc. and the sale of assets of the Company's
         publishing division".

Section 4.        CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS THIRD AMENDMENT.

         Section 4.1 This Third Amendment shall not become effective until, and
shall become effective when, each and every one of the following conditions
shall have been satisfied:

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                  (a) executed counterparts of this Third Amendment, duly
         executed by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the holders of
         at least 51% of the outstanding principal of the Notes, shall have been
         delivered to the Noteholders, and the same shall be in full force and
         effect and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of
         all the parties thereto;

                  (b) the Noteholders shall have received a copy of the
         resolutions of the Board of Directors or authorized committee thereof
         of the Company authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by
         the Company of this Third Amendment, certified by its Secretary or an
         Assistant Secretary;

                  (c) the representations and warranties of the Company set
         forth in SECTION 3 hereof are true and correct on and with respect to
         the date hereof;

                  (d) the Noteholders shall have received the favorable opinion
         of (i) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, counsel to the Company and the
         Subsidiary Guarantors and (ii) Philip E. Kucera, Esq., General Counsel
         of the Company which opinions, taken together, shall cover (1) the
         matters set forth in SECTIONS 3.1(a), 3.1(b) and 3.1(c) hereof and (2)
         such other matters as the Noteholders deem necessary and which opinions
         shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Noteholders;

                  (e) (i) the Company shall have consummated the issue and sale
         of the Convertible Indebtedness and (ii) the Noteholders shall have
         received a true, correct and complete copy of all certificates,
         documents and opinions delivered in connection with the issuance and
         sale of the Convertible Indebtedness as certified by a Responsible
         Officer of the Company;

                  (f) (i) the Company shall have applied the proceeds of the
         issue and sale of the Convertible Indebtedness to the repayment or
         permanent reduction of commitments of Senior Indebtedness of the
         Company in an aggregate principal amount of not less than $50,000,000
         and (ii) the Noteholders shall have received evidence reasonably
         satisfactory to them and their special counsel of such repayment or
         permanent reduction of commitments;

                  (g) the holders of the Notes shall have received an amendment
         fee in an amount equal to 0.125% times the aggregate outstanding
         principal amount of the Notes held by such Noteholder; and

                  (h) the Company shall have paid the reasonable fees and
         expenses of Chapman and Cutler, counsel to the Noteholders, in
         connection with the negotiation, preparation, approval, execution and
         delivery of this Third Amendment.

Upon receipt of all of the foregoing, this Third Amendment shall become
effective.

Section 5.        MISCELLANEOUS.

         Section 5.1 This Third Amendment shall be construed in connection with
and as part of each of the Note Purchase Agreements, and except as modified and
expressly amended by this

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Third Amendment, all terms, conditions and covenants contained in the Note
Purchase Agreements and the Notes are hereby ratified and shall be and remain in
full force and effect.

         Section 5.2 Any and all notices, requests, certificates and other
instruments executed and delivered after the execution and delivery of this
Third Amendment may refer to the Note Purchase Agreements without making
specific reference to this Third Amendment but nevertheless all such references
shall include this Third Amendment unless the context otherwise requires.

         Section 5.3 The descriptive headings of the various Sections or parts
of this Third Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the
meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

         Section 5.4 THIS THIRD AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH NEW YORK LAW.

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         Section 5.5 The execution hereof by you shall constitute a contract
between us for the uses and purposes hereinabove set forth, and this Third
Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each executed
counterpart constituting an original, but all together only one agreement.

                                             BOWNE & CO., INC.

                                             By: /s/ Carl J. Crosetto
                                                 -----------------------------
                                                 Name: Carl J. Crosetto
                                                 Title: President

                     [Noteholder Signature Pages to Follow]

<PAGE>

Accepted and Agreed to:

                                           AMCO INSURANCE COMPANY
                                           NATIONWIDE INDEMNITY COMPANY
                                           NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                           NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY
                                                INSURANCE COMPANY
                                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE
                                                COMPANY
                                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE
                                               COMPANY
                                           SCOTTSDALE INSURANCE COMPANY

                                           By: /s/ Joseph P. Young
                                               -------------------------------
                                               Name: Joseph P. Young
                                               Title: Authorized Signatory

<PAGE>

Accepted and Agreed to:

                                 CANADA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                                 By: /s/ E. Friesen
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     Name: E. Friesen
                                     Title: Vice President, Investments, CLICA

                                 By: /s/ T.P. Anderson
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     Name: T.P. Anderson
                                     Title: Manager, Investments, CLICA

<PAGE>

Accepted and Agreed to:
                                        THE CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY

                                        By: /s/ E. Friesen
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Name: E. Friesen
                                            Title: Vice President, Investments
                                                   U.S. Operations

                                        By: /s/ T.P. Anderson
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Name: T.P. Anderson
                                            Title: Manager, Investments
                                                   U.S. Operations

<PAGE>

Accepted and Agreed to:

                                      GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL ASSURANCE COMPANY

                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:_______________________________
                                          Title:______________________________

<PAGE>

Accepted and Agreed to:

                                      GE LIFE AND ANNUITY ASSURANCE COMPANY

                                      By:_____________________________________
                                          Name:_______________________________
                                          Title:______________________________

<PAGE>

Accepted and Agreed to:

                                   MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA

                                   By: /s/ Michael E. Dau
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Name: Michael E. Dau
                                       Title: Manager, Fixed Income Division

<PAGE>

Accepted and Agreed to:

                                   PACIFIC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                                   By: /s/ David C. Patch
                                       --------------------------------------
                                       Name: David C. Patch
                                       Title: Assistant Vice President

                                   By: /s/ Cathy Schwartz
                                       --------------------------------------
                                        Name: Cathy Schwartz
                                        Title: Assistant Secretary

<PAGE>

         Each of the undersigned hereby confirms its continued guaranty of the
obligations of the Company under the Note Purchase Agreements, as amended
hereby, pursuant to the terms of the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement dated as of
July 2, 2002, on this 17 day of September, 2003.

BOWNE BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,        BOWNE ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS, L.L.C.
a New York corporation                      a New York limited liability company

By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer                    By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
    -------------------------                   -------------------------
    Name: Scott L. Spitzer                      Name: Scott L. Spitzer
    Title: Vice President                       Title: Vice President

BOWNE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC.,             BOWNE OF NEW YORK CITY, L.L.C.,
a Delaware corporation                      a New York limited liability company

By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer                    By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
    -------------------------                   -------------------------
    Name: Scott L. Spitzer                      Name: Scott L. Spitzer
    Title: Vice President                       Title: Vice President

BOWNE OF ATLANTA, INC.,                     BOWNE OF PHOENIX, INC.,
a Georgia corporation                       an Arizona corporation

By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer                    By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
    -------------------------                   -------------------------
    Name: Scott L. Spitzer                      Name: Scott L. Spitzer
    Title: Vice President                       Title: Vice President

BOWNE OF BOSTON, INC.,                      BOWNE OF SOUTH BEND, INC.,
a Massachusetts corporation                 a Delaware corporation

By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer                    By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
    -------------------------                   -------------------------
    Name: Scott L. Spitzer                      Name: Scott L. Spitzer
    Title: Vice President                       Title: Vice President

BOWNE OF CLEVELAND, INC.,                   BOWNE OF CHICAGO, INC.,
an Ohio corporation                         a Delaware corporation

By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer                    By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
    -------------------------                   -------------------------
    Name: Scott L. Spitzer                      Name: Scott L. Spitzer
    Title: Vice President                       Title: Vice President

BOWNE OF DALLAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,        BOWNE OF LOS ANGELES, INC.,
a Delaware limited partnership              a California corporation

By Bowne of Dallas Inc., a                  By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
Delaware corporation, as general partner        -------------------------
                                                Name: Scott L. Spitzer
By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer                        Title: Vice President
    -------------------------
    Name: Scott L. Spitzer
    Title: Vice President

<PAGE>

DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.,         BOWNE TRANSLATION SERVICES, LLC,
a Massachusetts corporation                 a New York limited liability company

By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer                    By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
    -------------------------                   -------------------------
    Name: Scott L. Spitzer                      Name: Scott L. Spitzer
    Title: Vice President                       Title: Vice President

BGS COMPANIES, INC., a Chicago
Corporation (also a successor by merger
with Bowne Localization, Inc., a Delaware
corporation)

By: /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
    -------------------------
    Name: Scott L. Spitzer
    Title: Vice President<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                               SECOND AMENDMENT TO
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

         This Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 18,
2003 (the "Amendment") amends that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2,
2002 (the "Original Credit Agreement"), by and among BOWNE & CO., INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Parent Borrower"), FLEET NATIONAL BANK and the other
lending institutions listed on Schedule 1 to the Credit Agreement (each a
"Lender", and collectively, the "Lenders"), FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Agent for
the Lenders, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as Documentation Agent (the "Documentation
Agent"), and WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Syndication Agent (the
"Syndication Agent"), as previously amended by the First Amendment to Credit
Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2003 (the Original Credit Agreement as amended
by such amendment is referred to as the "Credit Agreement").

         WHEREAS, in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Credit
Agreement, Parent Borrower has requested that the Lenders approve the terms,
provisions and issuance of the "____% Convertible Subordinated Debentures" (the
"Subordinated Debentures") to be issued by the Company pursuant to an Indenture
between Parent Borrower and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Indenture");

         WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in this Amendment (including, without limitation, the amendment of
certain provisions of the Credit Agreement) to approve the terms, provisions and
the issuance of the Subordinated Debentures pursuant to the Indenture,

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises, the promises,
mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Amendment and fully intending
to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.       CAPITALIZED TERMS.

         Terms used in this Amendment which are not defined herein, but which
are defined in the Credit Agreement, shall have the same respective meanings
herein as therein.

2.       AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT.

         Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 6
below, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

         2.1      Definition of Note Purchase Agreement. The definition of "Note
                  Purchase Agreement" is hereby amended and restated in its
                  entirety as follows:

                           "NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT: collectively, the, separate
                           and several, Note Purchase Agreements, each dated
                           January 30, 2002, as amended by a First Amendment,
                           dated as of July 3, 2002, a Second Amendment dated as
                           of March 28, 2003, between Parent Borrower, on the
                           one hand, and certain purchasers, on the other hand,
                           and as may be further amended from time

<PAGE>

                           to time, relating to the sale by Parent Borrower of:
                           $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.90%
                           Senior Notes, Series A, due January 30, 2007;
                           $28,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.31%
                           Senior Notes, Series B, due January 30, 2012; and
                           $22,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.85%
                           Senior Notes, Series C, due January 30, 2012."

         2.2      Amendment of Section 8.3. Section 8.3 is hereby amended and
                  restated in its entirety as follows:

                                    "8.3      LEVERAGE RATIO.

                                    Permit (i) the Leverage Ratio at any time
                                    during a time period set forth below to be
                                    more than the ratio set forth below next to
                                    such time period:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Time Period                                Leverage Ratio
             -----------                                --------------
          (Dates Inclusive)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>
January 1, 2003 to March 31, 2003                         3.10 to 1.0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 1, 2003 to June 30, 2003                            3.90 to 1.0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 1, 2003 to September 30, 2003                        3.25 to 1.0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003                      2.75 to 1.0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1, 2004 to March 31, 2004                         3.00 to 1.0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 1, 2004 and thereafter                             2.75 to 1.0; or
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                     (ii) the Senior Leverage Ratio at any time
                                    after the Amendment Effective Date (as
                                    defined in the Second Amendment to this
                                    Credit Agreement dated September 18, 2003)
                                    to be more than 2.5 to 1.0."

         2.3      Amendment of Section 8.15. Section 8.15 is hereby amended by
                  amending and restating clause (c) thereof in its entirety as
                  follows:

                                    "(c) Contingent Obligations with respect to
                                    or constituting Indebtedness permitted
                                    pursuant to Section 8.5 hereof (other than
                                    Contingent Obligations of any Subsidiary
                                    with respect to Indebtedness permitted
                                    pursuant to Section 8.5(d))."

         2.4      Amendment of Section 8.16. Section 8.16 is hereby amended and
                  restated in its entirety as follows:

                                            "8.16 PAYMENTS AND PREPAYMENTS OF
                                    SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS. 8.16 PAYMENTS AND
                                    PREPAYMENTS OF SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS.
                                    Purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise
                                    acquire for value, other than by issuance of
                                    shares of Capital Stock of a Credit Party,
                                    or set apart any money for a sinking,
                                    defeasance or other analogous fund (or
                                    permit any Subsidiary to do any of the
                                    foregoing) for the

                                       2

<PAGE>

                                    purchase, redemption, retirement or other
                                    acquisition of, or make (or permit any
                                    Subsidiary to make) any voluntary payment or
                                    prepayment of the principal of, or interest
                                    on, or any other amount owing in respect of,
                                    any Subordinated Indebtedness (or make any
                                    payment or distribution whatsoever with
                                    respect to any Capital Stock issued or
                                    issuable upon conversion of any Subordinated
                                    Indebtedness, other than if such Capital
                                    Stock is issued and outstanding and is
                                    publicly traded common stock of Parent
                                    Borrower, (a) dividends or other
                                    distributions with respect thereto paid at
                                    the same rate and on the same terms as paid
                                    to all holders of such common stock, or (b)
                                    acquisitions thereof as part of a
                                    broad-based repurchase program of the
                                    Company's publicly traded common stock that
                                    is not specifically targeted to, and in
                                    which the holders of such common stock
                                    received upon conversion, or their
                                    Affiliates, do not disproportionately
                                    participate) except for regularly scheduled
                                    payments of principal and interest in
                                    respect thereof required pursuant to the
                                    instruments evidencing such Subordinated
                                    Indebtedness to the extent expressly
                                    approved by the Required Lenders. "

         2.5      New Section 8.19. Article 8 is hereby further amended by
                  adding a new Section 8.19 thereto as follows:

                                    "8.19 MODIFICATION OF SUBORDINATED
                                    INDEBTEDNESS. Without the prior written
                                    approval thereto of the Required Lenders,
                                    amend or modify the terms and provisions of
                                    any Subordinated Indebtedness (a) relating
                                    to the subordination of such Subordinated
                                    Indebtedness to the prior payment in full of
                                    the Senior Indebtedness or (b) in any other
                                    material respect. Notwithstanding the
                                    foregoing, the written approval of the
                                    Required Lenders shall not be required with
                                    respect to any such amendment or
                                    modification (which is not described in
                                    clause (a) immediately above) that: (i)
                                    reduces, or extends the date of payment of,
                                    the principal (exclusive of prepayments) of
                                    or interest on any such Subordinated
                                    Indebtedness; or (ii) reduces the
                                    restrictions on the Parent Borrower and its
                                    Subsidiaries, so long as such reduction is
                                    not in violation of any of the Loan
                                    Documents.

         2.6      Amendment of Exhibit E. Exhibit E to the Credit Agreement,
                  Form of Compliance Certificate, is hereby amended as follows:

                                    "(a)     The Form of Compliance Certificate
                                    itself is hereby amended so that paragraph
                                    number '1' thereof is amended and restated
                                    in its entirety as follows:

                                    '1. The Leverage Ratio and the Senior
                                    Leverage Ratio as of _________ (the
                                    "Determination Date") is ______ . ______:
                                    1.00 and _______._______: 1.00,
                                    respectively, as set forth on Schedule 1;'
                                    and

                                       3

<PAGE>

                                    (b)      Schedule 1 to the Compliance
                                    Certificate is hereby amended and restated
                                    to read the same as Schedule 1 attached
                                    hereto."

3.       APPROVAL OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES.

         Subject to this Amendment becoming effective upon the satisfaction of
the conditions set forth in Section 6 below, the issuance by the Parent Borrower
of up to $90,000,000 principal amount of Subordinated Debentures issued
pursuant, to the Indenture in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, is hereby
approved as Subordinated Indebtedness.

4.       REAFFIRMATION OF GUARANTY.

         Each of the Guarantors hereby reaffirms each of its continuing
obligations to the Agent and the Lenders under the Guaranty and agrees that
neither this Amendment, the transactions contemplated by this Amendment nor any
further agreements or arrangements whatsoever relating to the Credit Agreement
shall in any way affect the validity and enforceability of the Guaranty or
reduce, impair, or discharge the obligations of any of the Guarantors
thereunder.

5.       REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.

         Parent Borrower represents, warrants and agrees that:

         5.1      Representations in Credit Agreement. Each of the
                  representations and warranties made by Parent Borrower in the
                  Credit Agreement is true, correct and complete on and as of
                  the date hereof with the same full force and effect as if each
                  of such representations and warranties had been made by the
                  Parent Borrower on the date hereof and in this Amendment
                  (except to the extent such representations and warranties
                  expressly relate to an earlier date).

         5.2      No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default
                  exists on the date of this Amendment (after giving effect to
                  all of the arrangements and transactions contemplated by this
                  Amendment and the issuance of the Subordinated Debentures as
                  contemplated herein).

         5.3      Binding Effect of Documents; Amendment as Loan Document. This
                  Amendment, the Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture being
                  executed by the Credit Parties in connection herewith have
                  been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each Credit
                  Party and are in full force and effect as of the date hereof
                  and the agreements and obligations of each such Credit Party
                  contained herein and therein constitute the legal, valid, and
                  binding obligations of each Credit Party enforceable against
                  such Credit Party in accordance with their respective terms,
                  except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
                  bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws
                  affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally. This
                  Amendment constitutes a Loan Document.

         5.4      Use of Proceeds. It shall use all of the "Net Proceeds" (as
                  hereinafter defined) from the issuance and sale of the
                  Subordinated Debentures as follows:

                                       4

<PAGE>

                           (a) At least $50,000,000 shall be used to prepay
                               the principal amount of the Revolving Credit
                               Loans in accordance with Section 2.7(a) of
                               the Credit Agreement;

                           (b) Next, Net Proceeds shall be used to pay the
                               interest required to be paid, pursuant to
                               Section 2.7(c) of the Credit Agreement, with
                               respect to such prepayment of the Revolving
                               Credit Loans and the fees and expenses of
                               the Agent and the Lenders in connection with
                               the execution, delivery and performance of
                               this Amendment, including, without
                               limitation, the Facility Fee required to be
                               paid pursuant to Section 3.2(a) of the
                               Credit Agreement;

                           (c) Next, up to $25,000,000 of Net Proceeds may
                               be used to prepay the notes issued pursuant
                               to the Note Purchase Agreement (including
                               principal, interest and fees associated with
                               such prepayment); and

                           (d) Then, the Net Proceeds shall be used to
                               further prepay the principal amount of
                               Revolving Credit Loans, in accordance with
                               Section 2.7(a) of the Credit Agreement,
                               together with interest required to be paid,
                               pursuant to Section 2.7(c) of the Credit
                               Agreement, and other fees and expenses in
                               connection with such prepayment.

                  For purposes of this Amendment, (i) "Net Proceeds" shall mean
                  the proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Subordinated
                  Debentures after deducting all placement agent fees and
                  expenses and all out-of-pocket legal, accounting and other
                  costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith; and (ii)
                  to the extent the Subordinated Debentures are issued in more
                  than one traunch, the provisions of Sections 5.4 and 5.5 shall
                  be applied on a cumulative basis.

         5.5      Reduction of Aggregate Commitment Amount. The Aggregate
                  Commitment Amount shall be permanently reduced, pursuant to
                  Section 2.6(a) of the Credit Agreement, by the amount of the
                  principal prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to
                  Sections 5.4(a) and (d); provided, however, that (i) if such
                  amount exceeds $75,000,000, Parent Borrower shall not be
                  required to reduce the Aggregate Commitment Amount by more
                  than $75,000,000; and (ii) the amount by which the Aggregate
                  Commitment Amount would otherwise have been reduced pursuant
                  to this Section 5.5 shall be decreased by the principal amount
                  of a Revolving Credit Loan, the Borrowing Date of which is on
                  or before the 15th Business Day immediately following the
                  Amendment Effective Date, to the extent (x) the principal
                  amount of such Revolving Credit Loan does not exceed
                  $25,000,000, (y) the Agent receives evidence satisfactory to
                  it that the proceeds of such Revolving Credit Loan will be
                  used to immediately prepay (or satisfy a put-option with
                  respect to) the notes issued pursuant to the Note Purchase
                  Agreement), and (z) the amount by which the Aggregate
                  Commitment Amount is reduced pursuant to this Section 5.5 is
                  not decreased below $50,000,000. A prepayment of the notes
                  issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to
                  item (ii) above, shall be considered a prepayment pursuant to
                  Section 5.4(c) of this Amendment for purposes of the
                  limitation set forth therein.

                                       5

<PAGE>

6.       CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS.

         This Amendment shall become effective on the first date when the
following conditions are met (the "Amendment Effective Date"):

         6.1      Counterparts to Amendment. The Agent shall have received
                  counterparts hereof signed by the Required Lenders and all of
                  the Credit Parties (or, in the case of any Required Lender as
                  to which an executed counterpart shall not have been received,
                  the Agent shall have received in form satisfactory to it a
                  telecopy or other written confirmation from such party of
                  execution of a counterpart hereof by such party);

         6.2      Amendment Fee. The Agent shall have received payment, for the
                  account of each of the Lenders executing and delivering a
                  counterpart of this Agreement (to be disbursed among them, pro
                  rata, in accordance with their respective Commitment
                  Percentages), of an amendment fee in an amount equal to
                  $175,000;

         6.3      Indenture and Subordinated Debentures. The Agent shall have
                  received evidence satisfactory to it that the Indenture has
                  been executed by all of the parties thereto, and that
                  Subordinated Debentures, in the form attached to said
                  Indenture, aggregating at least $50,000,000 in principal
                  amount, have been issued pursuant thereto;

         6.4      Prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans. The Agent shall have
                  received, pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Credit Agreement, a
                  prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans, in accordance with
                  Sections 2.7(a) and (c) thereof and Section 5.4 of this
                  Amendment, in the principal amount of at least $50,000,000 and
                  the Aggregate Commitment Amount shall have been permanently
                  reduced in accordance with Section 5.5 of this Amendment. The
                  Agent shall have received payment of the Facility Fee,
                  pursuant to Section 3.2(a) of the Credit Agreement in
                  connection with such reduction and prepayment and all other
                  fees and expenses payable in connection therewith required by
                  the Credit Agreement;

         6.5      Prepayment of Other Senior Indebtedness. The Agent shall have
                  received evidence satisfactory to it that the Net Proceeds
                  from the issuance and sale of the Subordinated Debentures that
                  remain after application in accordance with Sections 5.4(a)
                  and (b) of this Amendment shall have been applied to the
                  prepayment of the notes issued pursuant to the Note Purchase
                  Agreement in accordance with Section 5.4(c) of this Amendment;

         6.6      Other Fees and Expenses. The Agent shall have received payment
                  of all other costs, fees and expenses (including, without
                  limitation, reasonable legal fees and expenses for which
                  invoices shall have been submitted to the Parent Borrower) and
                  other compensation payable to it on or prior to the Amendment
                  Effective Date in connection with the Loan Documents; and

         6.7      Additional Documents. The Agent shall have received all
                  documents it may reasonably request relating to the corporate
                  or other authority for this Amendment and the other documents
                  related thereto, and any other matters relevant hereto, all in
                  form and substance satisfactory to the Agent,

                                       6

<PAGE>

provided that this Amendment shall not become effective or be binding upon any
party hereto unless all of the foregoing conditions are satisfied not later than
October 1, 2003. Promptly after the Amendment Effective Date occurs, the Agent
shall notify the Parent Borrower and the Lenders thereof, and such notice shall
be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

7.       RATIFICATION; MISCELLANEOUS.

         Except as expressly amended hereby, the Credit Agreement and all
documents, instruments and agreements related thereto are hereby ratified and
confirmed in all respects. All references to the Credit Agreement in any Loan
Document or related agreement or instrument shall hereafter refer to the Credit
Agreement as amended hereby.

8.       NO IMPLIED WAIVER.

         Except as expressly provided herein, nothing contained herein shall
constitute a waiver of, impair or otherwise affect any Obligations, any other
obligations of any of the Credit Parties or any right of the Agent or any Lender
consequent thereon.

9.       EXPENSES.

         Regardless of whether the Amendment Effective Date ever occurs, Parent
Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by Agent in
connection with the preparation and negotiation of this Amendment, including,
without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of Agent's counsel.

10.      COUNTERPARTS.

         This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original but which together shall constitute one and
the same instrument.

11.      GOVERNING LAW.

         THIS AMENDMENT SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REFERENCE TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW).

                                       7

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment to Credit
Agreement as of the day first written above.

                       BOWNE & CO., INC., Parent Borrower

                       By:   /s/ C. Cody Colquitt
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Cody Colquitt
                       Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as a Lender and as Agent

                       By:   /s/ David J. Bardwig
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: David J. Bardwig
                       Title: Senior Vice President

                       JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as a Lender
                       and as Documentation Agent

                       By:   /s/ Louis Mastrianni
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Louis Mastrianni
                       Title: Vice President

                       WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                       as a Lender

                       By:   /s/ Kristin Carver
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Kristin Carver
                       Title: Assistant Vice President

                       HSBC BANK USA, as a Lender

                       By:   /s/ Bruce Wicks
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Bruce Wicks
                       Title: Vice President

                                       8

<PAGE>

                       THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, PLC, as a Lender

                       By:   /s/ Julian Darin
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Julian Darin
                       Title: Senior Vice President

                       U.S. Bank N.A., as Lender and successor to Firstar Bank

                       By:   /s/ Derek S. Roudebush
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Derek S. Roudebush
                       Title: Vice President

                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as a Lender

                       By:   /s/ Roger A. Grossman
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Roger A. Grossman
                       Title: Vice President

                       GUARANTORS:

                       BOWNE BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
                       a New York corporation

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       BOWNE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC.,
                       a Delaware corporation

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       BOWNE ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS, L.L.C.,
                       a New York limited liability company

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                                       9

<PAGE>

                       BOWNE OF ATLANTA, INC.,
                       a Georgia corporation

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       BOWNE OF BOSTON, INC.,
                       a Massachusetts corporation

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       BOWNE OF CHICAGO, INC.,
                       a Delaware corporation

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       BOWNE OF CLEVELAND, INC.,
                       a Ohio corporation

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       BOWNE OF DALLAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
                       a Delaware limited partnership

                       By: BOWNE OF DALLAS, INC.,
                               a Delaware corporation, as General Partner

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       BOWNE OF LOS ANGELES, INC.,
                       a California corporation

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       BOWNE OF NEW YORK CITY, L.L.C.,
                       a New York limited liability company

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                                       10

<PAGE>

                       BOWNE OF PHOENIX, INC.,
                       an Arizona corporation

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       BOWNE OF SOUTH BEND, INC.,
                       a Delaware corporation

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       BGS COMPANIES, INC.,
                       a Delaware corporation, (also as successor by merger
                       with Bowne Localization, Inc., a Delaware corporation)

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       BOWNE TRANSLATION SERVICES, LLC,
                       a New York limited liability company

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                       DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.,
                       a Massachusetts corporation

                       By:   /s/ Scott L. Spitzer
                          -----------------------------------------
                       Name: Scott L. Spitzer
                       Title: Vice President

                                       11

<PAGE>

Schedule 1 to Compliance Certificate
dated __/__/__

         CALCULATION OF THE LEVERAGE RATIO AND SENIOR LEVERAGE RATIO

1.   Funded Debt as of the Determination Date.                     $____________

2.   Subordinated Indebtedness as of the
     Determination Date.                                           $____________

3.   Funded Debt excluding Subordinated
     Indebtedness as of the Determination Date.                    $____________

4.   Consolidated Net Income from continuing
     operations, for the period comprised of the
     four fiscal quarters ended on the
     Determination Date (or if the Determination
     Date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter,
     for the period of the four fiscal quarters
     immediately preceding the Determination Date)                 $____________

5.   All Interest Expense of Parent Borrower and
     its Subsidiaries to the extent utilized in
     determining Item 4                                            $____________

6.   Provision for federal, state and local income
     taxes of the Parent Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries, to the extent utilized in
     determining Item 4                                            $____________

7.   Depreciation and amortization (other than
     amortization of debt discount) to the extent
     utilized in determining Item 4                                $____________

8.   Extraordinary items of the Parent Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries (including, but not
     limited to: restructuring, integration and
     asset impairment charges; expenses related to
     acquisitions; gains or losses on asset sales;
     transaction related expenses; royalty expense
     borne by Seller within the trailing 12
     months; provisions for doubtful accounts (net
     of write-offs); and provision for deferred
     employee compensation and retirement
     benefits) in each case to the extent utilized
     in determining Item 4                                         $____________

<PAGE>

9.   All other non-cash income, expense, gains and
     losses to the extent utilized in determining
     Item 4 and not otherwise added or subtracted,
     as applicable, by the foregoing items 5
     through 8

10.  Consolidated EBITDA (Item 4 plus the sum of
     Items 5 through 7 minus or plus, as
     applicable, Items 8 and 9)                                    $____________

11.  Leverage Ratio
     (Item 1 : Item 10)                                            _._:1.00

12.  Senior Leverage Ratio
     (Item 3: Item 10)                                             _._:1.00

13.  Maximum permitted Leverage Ratio pursuant to
     Section 8.3 of the Credit Agreement:

     (a)  January 1, 2003 to March 31, 2003                        3.10 to 1.0
     (b)  April 1, 2003 to June 30, 2003                           3.90 to 1.0
     (c)  July 1, 2003 to September 30, 2003                       3.25 to 1.0
     (d)  October 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003                     2.75 to 1.0
     (e)  January 1, 2004 to March 31, 2004                        3.00 to 1.0
     (f)  April 1, 2004 and thereafter                             2.75 to 1.0

14.  Maximum permitted Senior Leverage Ratio
     pursuant to Section 8.3 of the Credit
     Agreement:                                                    2.5:1.00

                                        2

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