Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                         EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT dated as of January 31, 2002, and
effective as of January 1, 2002 ("Effective Date"), by and among Von Hoffmann
Press, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Company") and Peter C. Mitchell
("Executive").

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual undertakings contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

          1.1   DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following terms shall have the
following meanings.

          "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of a member of the Company Group.

          "CAUSE" means (i) the conviction of Executive by a court of competent
jurisdiction of, or entry of a plea of NOLO CONTENDERE with respect to, a felony
or any other crime which involves fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (ii)
fraud or embezzlement on the part of Executive; (iii) Executive's chronic abuse
of or dependency on alcohol or drugs (illicit or otherwise) which interferes
with the performance of Executive's duties, responsibilities or obligations
under this Agreement; (iv) the material breach by Executive of Section 2.5, 2.6
or 2.7 hereof; or (v) any act of moral turpitude or willful misconduct by
Executive which (A) is intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of
Executive at the expense of the Company Group or (B) may have a material adverse
impact on the business or reputation of the Company Group.

          "CHANGE IN CONTROL" means (i) the acquisition by a person or group of
persons of greater than 50% of the voting power of the Company; (ii) the sale of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in one transaction or a
series of related transactions; or (iii) a merger or consolidation of the
Company in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such
consolidation own directly or indirectly less than 50% of the voting power of
the resulting corporation.

          "COMPANY GROUP" means, collectively, Holding, the Company and their
respective Subsidiaries, successors or assigns.

          "EBITDA" means, for any period, consolidated net income of Holding,
the Company and its subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP plus (i)
provisions for taxes based on income or profits to the extent included in
computing such consolidated net income, plus (ii) consolidated interest expense
of Holding and its subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, to the
extent any such expense was deducted in computing such consolidated net income,
plus (iii) depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses of Holding and
its subsidiaries for such period (excluding

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any such non-cash expenses to the extent it represents an accrual or reserve for
cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense
paid in a prior period) to the extent any such expense was deducted in computing
such consolidated net income, plus (iv) any fees or expenses related to the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement to the extent any such expense
was deducted in computing consolidated net income for such period, plus (v) any
annual retainer payment made to Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation or its affiliates to the extent any such expense was deducted in
computing consolidated net income for such period, minus (vi) any gain on any
sale or disposition of assets of Holding or any of its subsidiaries in excess of
$200,000 in any year, minus (vii) any interest or dividend income or income from
any other investments, minus (viii) any gain on the sale of any investment or
any stock of any subsidiary of Holding or any of its subsidiaries, and (ix) plus
any increase in the LIFO reserve or minus any decrease in the LIFO reserve, in
each case for such period to the extent any such increase or decrease was
included in computing consolidated net income for such period.

          "EMPLOYMENT PERIOD" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

          "GAAP" means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied in
accordance with the Company's accounting methodologies and procedures.

          "HOLDING" means Von Hoffmann Corporation.

          "PERSON" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, an
association, a joint stock company, a limited liability company, a trust, a
joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any
department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

          "SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation,
a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard
to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that
Person or combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, association or other
business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership
interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by
any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.
For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority
ownership interest in a partnership, association or other business entity if
such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of partnership, association
or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control the managing
director or general partner of such partnership, association or other business
entity.

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                                   ARTICLE II
                                   EMPLOYMENT

          2.1   EMPLOYMENT. The Company agrees to employ Executive, and
Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company, upon the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement for the period beginning on the Effective
Date and ending as provided in Section 2.4 (the "Employment Period").

          2.2   POSITION AND DUTIES.

          (a)   Commencing on the Effective Date and continuing during the
Employment Period, Executive shall serve in an executive position for the
Company Group as determined by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

          (b)   Executive shall devote his best efforts and his full business
time and attention (except for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods
of illness or other incapacity) to the business and affairs of the Company
Group. The Executive shall perform his duties and responsibilities to the best
of his abilities in a diligent, trustworthy, businesslike and efficient manner.
In the performance of his duties hereunder, Executive shall at all times report
and be subject to the lawful direction of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and any Board of Directors of any Person within the Company Group and
perform his duties hereunder subject to and in accordance with the directions of
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the resolutions or any other
determinations of any Board of Directors of any Person within the Company Group
and the By-laws of any Person within the Company Group, as from time to time in
effect. During the Employment Period, Executive shall not become an employee of
any Person other than a member of the Company Group. Executive shall be
permitted to make, monitor and pursue private passive investments that do not
interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder. Executive shall make
application for, and submit to any examination as may be reasonably requested
by, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or the Board of Directors of
Holding in order to obtain key-man or other insurance on the life of Executive
for the benefit of the Company Group as the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company or the Board of Directors of Holding shall direct.

          2.3   BASE SALARY AND BENEFITS.

          (a)   During the Employment Period, Executive's base salary shall be
$225,000 (subject to increase, if any, provided under Section 2.3(d)) per annum
(the "Base Salary"), which salary shall be payable in regular installments in
accordance with the Company's general payroll practices and shall be subject to
deductions for customary withholdings, including, without limitation, federal
and state withholding taxes, social security taxes and state disability
insurance.

          (b)   During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to an
annual bonus in an amount equal to $75,000 per annum (the "Non-Discretionary
Bonus"). During the Employment Period, Executive will also be eligible to
receive an additional bonus each year (the "Additional Bonus", and together with
the Non-

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Discretionary Bonus, the "Total Annual Bonus"). The Additional Bonus for
a calendar year shall equal 1.4% of EBITDA for such calendar year in excess of
certain EBITDA targets to be established by the Board from time to time, but in
no event shall the Additional Bonus exceed $210,000 for any calendar year. The
Total Annual Bonus shall be payable in December, 2002 for calendar year 2002,
and each December thereafter during the Employment Period for the calendar year
then ending, based on an estimate of EBITDA in accordance with current
practices. An adjustment for any underpayment or overpayment shall be made in
the next calendar year by the Company or Executive, as the case may be, within
30 days of receipt of certified financial statements for the Company Group. At
the option of the Company, the Additional Bonus may be paid in its entirety
within 30 days after receipt of certified financial statements for the Company
Group for the year to which such Additional Bonus relates. The Total Annual
Bonus shall be subject to deduction for customary withholdings, including,
without limitation, federal and state withholding taxes, social security taxes
and state disability insurance.

          (c)   In addition to the Base Salary, the Total Annual Bonus payable
to Executive pursuant to Section 2.3(b), Executive shall be entitled, during the
Employment Period, to (i) participate in all retirement, disability, pension,
health, medical, insurance and other fringe benefits or plans of the Company
generally available to employees, and (ii) the following benefits (collectively,
"Benefits") at the Company's expense:

                (A)   Four (4) weeks of vacation; and

                (B)   Reimbursement of all dues and assessments due in respect
     of a corporate membership in Greenbriar Hills Country Club maintained on
     behalf of Executive.

          (d)   Executive's base salary described in Section 2.3(a) may be
increased during the Employment Period at the sole discretion of the Board of
Holding.

          2.4   TERM.

          (a)   The Employment Period shall end at 11:59 p.m. on December 31,
2004, subject to earlier termination (i) by reason of Executive's death, (ii) by
action of the Company or Holding, with or without Cause or (iii) upon
Executive's voluntary resignation or for any other reason not set forth above.

          (b)   RESIGNATION OR TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. If the Employment Period
is terminated as a result of Executive's voluntary resignation, or by the
Company or Holding for Cause, or for any other reason not set forth in Sections
2.4(c) or 2.4(d) hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to his Base Salary
through the date of termination, but shall not be entitled to any further Base
Salary, Total Annual Bonus or Benefits for that year or any future year, or to
any severance compensation of any kind, nature or amount. Executive agrees that
he shall provide at least 90 days' written notice prior to any voluntary
resignation.

          (c)   DEATH. If Executive's employment is terminated as a result of
his death, the Company shall pay to his estate all previously earned and accrued
but unpaid

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Base Salary up to the date of such termination, but neither Executive nor his
estate shall be entitled to any further Base Salary, Total Annual Bonus or
Benefits for that year or any future year or to any severance compensation of
any kind, nature or amount.

          (d)   TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. Subject to Section 2.4(e) hereof, if
the Executive's employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company or Holding
without Cause, Executive shall be entitled to all previously earned and accrued
but unpaid Base Salary up to the date of such termination, but shall not be
entitled to any further Base Salary, Total Annual Bonus or Benefits for that
year or any future year, and Executive agrees that no severance compensation of
any kind, nature or amount shall be payable, except that Executive shall be
entitled to an amount in cash equal to $337,500, of which (i) $112,500 shall be
payable in one lump sum within five (5) days after the effective date of
termination and (ii) $225,000 shall be payable in twelve (12) equal monthly
payments of $18,750 each. Any payments to be made pursuant to clause (ii) of the
immediately preceding sentence shall be made in monthly installments on the
payment dates on which Executive's Base Salary would have otherwise been paid if
the Employment Period had continued, and as of the date of the final such
payment none of the Company, Holding, or any other member of the Company Group
shall have any further obligation to Executive pursuant to this Section 2.4.

          (e)   TERMINATION AFTER CHANGE IN CONTROL. Subject to Section 2.4(f),
in addition to the benefits provided pursuant to Section 2.4(d), if Executive's
employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company or Holding without Cause
after a Change in Control has occurred and such termination occurs prior to
December 31, 2002, Executive shall be entitled to a one-time lump sum cash
payment in an amount equal to $30,000, which payment shall be made by the
Company to Executive within fifteen (15) days after the date of termination.

          (f)   Executive agrees that Executive shall be entitled to the
payments provided for in Sections 2.4(d) and (e) if and only if Executive has
not breached as of the date of termination of the Employment Period the
provisions of Sections 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 hereof and does not breach such sections
at any time during the period for which such payments are to be made; PROVIDED,
that the Company's obligation to make such payments will terminate upon the
occurrence of any such breach during such severance period.

          (g)   Executive hereby agrees that no severance compensation of any
kind, nature or amount shall be payable to Executive, except as expressly set
forth in this Section 2.4, and Executive hereby irrevocably waives any claim for
any other severance compensation.

          (h)   All of Executive's rights to Benefits and Total Annual Bonuses
hereunder (if any) accruing after the termination of the Employment Period shall
cease upon such termination.

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          2.5   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Executive acknowledges that the
information, observations and data obtained by him while employed by Holding,
the Company or any other member of the Company Group (whether prior to or during
the Employment Period) concerning the business or affairs of any member of the
Company Group ("Confidential Information") are the property of Holding, the
Company or such other member of the Company Group. Therefore, Executive agrees
that he shall not disclose to any unauthorized Person or use for his own account
any Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Board of
Holding, unless and to the extent that the aforementioned matters become
generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of
Executive's acts or omissions to act. Executive shall deliver to Holding at the
termination of Executive's employment, or at any other time Holding may request,
all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes and software and
other documents and data (and copies thereof) relating to the Confidential
Information, Work Product (as defined below) and the business of the Company
Group which he may then possess or have under his control. Executive
acknowledges that (a) the Confidential Information is commercially and
competitively valuable to the Company Group; (b) the unauthorized use or
disclosure of the Confidential Information would cause irreparable harm to the
Company Group; (c) Holding and the Company have taken and are taking all
reasonable measures to protect their legitimate interest in the Confidential
Information, including, without limitation, affirmative action to safeguard the
confidentiality of such Confidential Information; (d) the restrictions on the
activities in which Executive may engage set forth in this Agreement, and the
periods of time for which such restrictions apply, are reasonably necessary in
order to protect the Company Group's legitimate interests in its Confidential
Information; and (e) nothing herein shall prohibit Holding or the Company from
pursuing any remedies, whether in law or equity, available to Holding or the
Company for breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, including the
recovery of damages from Executive.

          2.6   INVENTIONS AND PATENTS. Executive agrees that all inventions,
innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings,
reports, and all similar or related information which relates to the Company
Group's actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or
future products or services and which are conceived, developed or made by
Executive while employed by Holding, the Company or any other member of the
Company Group (whether prior to or during the Employment Period) ("Work
Product") belong to Holding, the Company or such other member of the Company
Group, and Executive hereby assigns to Holding and the Company his entire right,
title and interest in any such Work Product. Executive will promptly disclose
such Work Product to the Board of Holding and perform all actions reasonably
requested by the Board of Holding (whether during or after Executive's
employment period) to establish and confirm such ownership (including, without
limitation, assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments).

          2.7   NONCOMPETE, NONSOLICITATION.

          (a)   Executive acknowledges that in the course of his employment with
Holding, the Company or any other member of the Company Group he has become

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familiar, and he will become familiar, with the Company Group's trade secrets
and with other Confidential Information and that his services have been and will
be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company Group. Therefore,
Executive agrees that, during the time he is employed by the Company or any
other member of the Company Group and thereafter for a period of twelve (12)
months (the "Noncompete Period"), Executive shall not directly or indirectly
own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, or in
any manner engage in any business with any person (including by himself or in
association with any person, firm, corporate or other business organization or
through any other entity) in competition with the businesses of the Company
Group as such businesses exist or are in process on the date of the termination
of Executive's employment, within any geographical area in which the Company
Group engages or plans on the date of the termination of Executive's employment
to engage in such businesses. Nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being
a passive owner of not more than 2% of the outstanding stock of a corporation
which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no active participation in
the business of such corporation.

          (b)   During the Noncompete Period, Executive shall not directly or
indirectly through another entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee
of the Company or any other member of the Company Group to leave the employ of
the Company or such other member of the Company Group, or in any way interfere
with the relationship between any member of the Company Group and any employee
thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company Group at any
time within the six-month period prior to the date of termination of Executive's
employment with the Company or any other member of the Company Group, or (iii)
induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor,
franchisee, franchisor or other business relation of the Company or any other
member of the Company Group to cease doing business with the Company or such
other member of the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship
between any such customer, supplier, licensee, licensor, franchisee, franchisor
or business relation and the Company or any other member of the Company Group.

          (c)   Executive agrees that: (i) the covenants set forth in this
Section 2.7 are reasonable in geographical and temporal scope and in all other
respects, (ii) Holding and the Company would not have entered into this
Agreement but for the covenants of Executive contained herein, and (iii) the
covenants contained herein have been made in order to induce Holding and the
Company to enter into this Agreement.

          (d)   If, at the time of enforcement of this Section 2.7, a court or
arbiter shall hold that the duration, scope or area restrictions stated herein
are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties agree that the
maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under such circumstances shall be
substituted for the stated duration, scope or area and that the court shall be
allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period,
scope and area permitted by law.

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                                   ARTICLE III
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

          3.1   EXECUTIVE'S REPRESENTATIONS. Executive hereby represents and
warrants to Holding and the Company that (i) the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by Executive do not and shall not conflict with,
breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument,
order, judgment or decree to which Executive is a party or by which he is bound,
(ii) Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement,
noncompete agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person or
entity and (iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Holding
and the Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of
Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Executive hereby
acknowledges and represents that he has consulted with independent legal counsel
regarding his rights and obligations under this Agreement and that he fully
understands the terms and conditions contained herein.

          3.2   SURVIVAL. Sections 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 and 3.3 through 3.13 shall
survive and continue in full force in accordance with their terms
notwithstanding any termination of the Employment Period.

          3.3   NOTICES. All notices, demands or other communications to be
given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement will
be in writing and will be deemed to have been given when delivered personally,
mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage
prepaid, or sent via a nationally recognized overnight courier, or sent via
facsimile to the recipient. Such notices, demands and other communications will
be sent to the address indicated below:

          To the Company or Holding:

                Von Hoffmann Corporation
                1000 Camera Avenue
                St. Louis, Missouri  63126
                Attention:   Chief Executive Officer
                Facsimile:   (314) 966-0983

          To Executive:

                Peter C. Mitchell
                53 Daryl Lane
                Ladue, MO  63124

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

          3.4   SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this
Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid,
illegal or

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unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

          3.5   COMPLETE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the other documents which
have been executed by Holding, the Company, and Executive (I.E., Shareholders
Agreement, Security and Pledge Agreement, Management Stock Purchase Agreement
and Non-Recourse Secured Promissory Note) embody the complete agreement and
understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior
understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written
or oral, including the agreements between the parties dated July 14, 1997 and
January 1, 1999.

          3.6   COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in separate
counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together constitute one and the same agreement.

          3.7   SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Except as otherwise provided herein, all
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by Holding, the Company, and their respective
successors and assigns. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, this
Agreement, including the obligations and benefits hereunder, may not be assigned
to any party by Executive.

          3.8   NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION. The language used in this Agreement will
be deemed to be the language chosen hereto by the parties hereto to express
their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied to this
Agreement.

          3.9   DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings of this Agreement
are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this
Agreement.

          3.10  GOVERNING LAW. All questions concerning the construction,
validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by and construed
in accordance with the domestic law of the State of Missouri, without giving
effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the
State of Missouri or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of
the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Missouri.

          3.11  REMEDIES. Each of the parties to this Agreement will be entitled
to enforce its rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages and
costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) caused by any breach of any
provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in its
favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an
adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, Sections 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 hereof, and that any party may in
its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent
jurisdiction (without posting any bond or deposit) for specific performance

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and/or other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of
the provisions of this Agreement.

          3.12  DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

          (a)   ARBITRATION. In the event of disputes between the parties with
respect to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, such disputes shall be
resolved by and through an arbitration proceeding to be conducted under the
auspices of the American Arbitration Association (or any like organization
successor thereto) in St. Louis, Missouri. Such arbitration proceeding shall be
conducted pursuant to the commercial arbitration rules (formal or informal) of
the American Arbitration Association in as expedited a manner as is then
permitted by such rules (the "Arbitration"). Both the foregoing agreement of the
parties to arbitrate any and all such claims, and the results, determination,
finding, judgment and/or award rendered through such Arbitration, shall be final
and binding on the parties hereto and may be specifically enforced by legal
proceedings.

          (b)   PROCEDURE. Such Arbitration may be initiated by written notice
from either party to the other which shall be a compulsory and binding
proceeding on each party. The Arbitration shall be conducted by an arbitrator
selected in accordance with the procedures of the American Arbitration
Association. Time is of the essence of this arbitration procedure, and the
arbitrator shall be instructed and required to render his or her decision within
thirty (30) days following completion of the Arbitration.

          (c)   VENUE AND JURISDICTION. Any action to compel arbitration
hereunder shall be brought in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, State of
Missouri.

          3.13  AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. The provisions of this Agreement may be
amended and waived only with the prior written consent of Holding, Company, and
Executive.

                                   * * * * * *

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Executive
Employment Agreement as of the date first written above.

          THIS CONTRACT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION WHICH MAY BE
ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.

                                                VON HOFFMANN PRESS, INC.

                                                By:
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Name:
                                                    Title:

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                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    PETER C. MITCHELL

                                       11<Page>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                                                                           DRAFT
                                                                         6/14/02

                    AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of June __, 2002,
by and among Von Hoffmann Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly named
"Von Hoffmann Corporation" (including its successors and assigns, "Holding"),
Von Hoffmann Corporation, a Delaware corporation formerly named "Von Hoffmann
Press, Inc." (including its successors and assigns, the "Company"), and Robert
A. Uhlenhop ("Employee").

          WHEREAS, Holding, the Company and Employee are parties to that certain
Employment Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2001 and effective as of January
1, 2002 (the "Original Agreement"); and

          WHEREAS, Holding, the Company and Employee desire to amend and restate
the Original Agreement in its entirety as hereinafter provided;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual undertakings contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

     1.1  DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following terms shall have the
following meanings.

          "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of a member of the Company Group.

          "CAUSE" means (i) the conviction of Employee by a court of competent
jurisdiction of, or entry of a plea of NOLO CONTENDERE with respect to, a felony
or any other crime which involves fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (ii)
fraud or embezzlement on the part of Employee; (iii) Employee's chronic abuse of
or dependency on alcohol or drugs (illicit or otherwise) which interferes with
the performance of Employee's duties, responsibilities or obligations under this
Agreement; (iv) the material breach by Employee of Section 2.5, 2.6 or 2.7
hereof; or (v) any act of moral turpitude or willful misconduct by Employee
which (A) is intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of Employee
at the expense of the Company Group or (B) may have a material adverse impact on
the business or reputation of the Company Group.

          "COMPANY GROUP" means, collectively, Holding, the Company and their
respective Subsidiaries, successors or assigns.

          "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          "EMPLOYMENT PERIOD" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.

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          "PERMANENT DISABILITY" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the
disability insurance policy referred to as item 3 on SCHEDULE 2.3(c) hereto.

          "PERSON" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, an
association, a joint stock company, a limited liability company, a trust, a
joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any
department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   EMPLOYMENT

     2.1  EMPLOYMENT. The Company agrees to employ Employee, and Employee hereby
accepts employment with the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement for the period beginning as of January 1, 2002 and ending as
provided in Section 2.4 (the "Employment Period").

     2.2  POSITION AND DUTIES.

          (a)  During the remainder of the Employment Period, Employee shall be
employed by the Company as Chief Executive EMERITUS and Special Advisor to the
Chief Executive Officer. In addition, as requested by the Board of the Company,
Employee shall serve as Chairman of the Board of Holding. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in the By-laws of the Company or the By-laws
of Holding, while Employee holds the positions set forth herein, Employee shall
be considered an employee of the Company (but not an officer of either the
Company or Holding) obligating Employee and the Company to the rights and duties
inherent in an employment relationship.

          (b)  In his capacity as Chief Executive EMERITUS and Special Advisor
to the Chief Executive Officer, Employee shall not in any way be deemed to be
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and will not be responsible for
day-to-day operating functions of the Company, but shall perform such duties as
shall be reasonably determined from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer
or Board of the Company, including, without limitation, to the extent reasonably
requested, providing guidance and assistance to members of the Company's senior
management and to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and assisting the
Company in maintaining and further developing its relationships with its
existing customers and developing new customers. In his capacity as Chairman of
the Board of Holding, Employee will not be responsible for day-to-day operating
functions of Holding or any other member of the Company Group. In the
performance of his duties as Chairman of the Board of Holding, Employee shall at
all times report and be subject to the lawful direction of the Board of Holding
and perform his duties hereunder subject to and in accordance with the
resolutions or any other determinations of the Board of Holding and the By-laws
of Holding, as from time to time in effect, provided that Employee's duties
shall not be expanded beyond those specifically described in this Section 2.2.
Employee shall perform his duties and responsibilities as Chief Executive
EMERITUS and Special Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the
Board of Holding, as the case may be, to the best of his

                                        2
<Page>

abilities in a diligent, trustworthy, businesslike and efficient manner, and
may perform his duties either at or away from the Company's offices, as
appropriate for the business needs of the Company Group. Notwithstanding
anything contained in the By-laws of Holding or the By-laws of the Company to
the contrary, while serving in the positions set forth herein, Employee shall
not in any way present himself as, hold himself out to be, the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company or any member of the Company Group, and shall not execute
any document or instrument on behalf or in the name of, or take any action to
legally bind, the Company or any other member of the Company Group without the
express written consent of the Board of the Company or the Board of Holding, as
applicable.

          (c)  During the Employment Period, Employee shall not become an
employee of any Person other than a member of the Company Group. Employee shall
be permitted to make, monitor and pursue private passive investments that do not
interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder.

     2.3  BASE SALARY AND BENEFITS.

          (a)  Except as may otherwise be provided in Section 2.4 hereof, during
the Employment Period, Employee's base salary shall be $250,000 (subject to
increase, if any, provided under Section 2.3(d)) per annum (the "Base Salary"),
which salary shall be payable in regular installments in accordance with the
Company's general payroll practices and shall be subject to deductions for
customary withholdings, including, without limitation, federal and state
withholding taxes, social security taxes and state disability insurance.

          (b)  Except as may otherwise be provided in Section 2.4 hereof, during
each full calendar year in the Employment Period, Employee shall be entitled to
an annual bonus in an amount equal to $300,000 (subject to increase, if any,
provided under Section 2.3(e)) per annum (the "Bonus"); IT BEING UNDERSTOOD that
for the portion of the Employment Period between January 1, 2004 and January 21,
2004, Employee shall not be entitled to receive a Bonus or any portion thereof.
Any Bonus shall be payable on each December 1 during the Employment Period for
the calendar year then ending and shall be subject to deduction for customary
withholdings, including, without limitation, federal and state withholding
taxes, social security taxes and state disability insurance.

          (c)  In addition to the Base Salary and the Bonus, except as may
otherwise be provided in Section 2.4 hereof, Employee shall be entitled, during
the Employment Period (and following the Employment Period if, and to the
extent, provided in Section 2.3(c)(ii) below), to (i) participate in all
retirement, disability, pension, savings, health, medical, dental, insurance and
other fringe benefits or plans of Holding or the Company made generally
available to their respective executive employees and shall be entitled to the
other benefits set forth on SCHEDULE 2.3(c) hereto, and (ii) the following
benefits (collectively, "Benefits") at the Company's expense:

               (A)  six (6) weeks of vacation;

                                        3
<Page>

               (B)       [intentionally omitted].

               (C)  (w) payment or reimbursement of the amount of reasonable
expenses properly incurred by Employee in connection with the performance of his
duties hereunder, (x) payment or reimbursement of reasonable legal expenses
incurred by Employee in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement, (y)
payment or reimbursement of reasonable expenses (if any) incurred to enforce
this Agreement (but only if a settlement agreement is reached or a final
judgment is rendered by a court or arbiter in favor of the position taken by
Employee), which shall survive the termination of this Agreement or the
Employment Period, and (z) payment of $10,000 per annum for reasonable personal
tax and legal expenses, in each case provided that proper vouchers are submitted
to the Company by Employee evidencing such expenses and the purposes for which
the same were incurred;

               (D)  the Company will continue to pay the premiums on the
disability insurance policies referred to on SCHEDULE 2.3(c) hereto and will
gross-up Employee's compensation in accordance with past practices to reimburse
him for the taxes associated with the inclusion of these benefits in his income
(such gross-up to be calculated under the procedure described in the last
sentence of Section 3.1 hereof);

               (E)  until the earliest of (i) January 21, 2006, (ii) Employee's
resignation or Employee's voluntary termination of his employment with the
Company hereunder for any reason, (iii) Employee's death, or (iv) Employee's
termination for Cause, the Company will continue to pay the premiums on the life
insurance policy referred to on SCHEDULE 2.3(c) hereto and will gross-up
Employee's compensation in accordance with past practices to reimburse him for
the taxes associated with the inclusion of these benefits in his income (such
gross-up to be calculated under the procedure described in the last sentence of
Section 3.1 hereof);

               (F)  until the earliest of (i) such individual's Medicare
entitlement on or after attainment of age 65, (ii) Employee's receipt of
coverage under another employer's coverage, or (iii) Employee's termination for
Cause, Employee and his current spouse, respectively, shall be entitled to
coverage under the Company's health care insurance plan (or comparable coverage
if the current health care plan is substantially modified or eliminated) and
group term life and accidental death and dismemberment plan, which coverage
shall not be diminished solely because Employee's salary has diminished
following the Employment Period;

               (G)  in the event of Employee's Permanent Disability, after the
expiration of the Employment Period as a result of such Permanent Disability,
the Company will continue to pay the premiums on the disability insurance
policies described in Section 2.3(c)(ii)(D) during any disability waiting
period, but only to the extent necessary to ensure that such disability
insurance policy is not terminated during such waiting period; and

               (H)  the Company shall reimburse Employee for dues and
assessments for Employee's personal membership in Greenbrier Hills Country Club
and

                                        4
<Page>

Fox Run Golf Club, both located in St. Louis, Missouri, until the earliest of
(i) January 21, 2006, (ii) Employee's death, (iii) Employee's resignation or
Employee's voluntary termination of his employment with the Company hereunder
for any reason, or (iv) Employee's termination for Cause.

          (d)  Employee's Base Salary described in Section 2.3(a) may be
increased during the Employment Period at the sole discretion of the Board of
the Company.

          (e)  Employee's Bonus described in Section 2.3(b) may be increased
during the Employment Period at the sole discretion of the Board of the Company.

     2.4  TERM.

          (a)  The Employment Period shall commence on January 1, 2002 and end
at 11:59 p.m. (St. Louis, Missouri local time) on January 21, 2004, subject to
earlier termination (i) by reason of Employee's death or Permanent Disability,
(ii) by an appropriate resolution of the Company's Board, for or without Cause,
or (iii) upon Employee's resignation or Employee's voluntary termination of his
employment with the Company hereunder for any reason.

          (b)  TERMINATION FOR CAUSE; RESIGNATION. If the Employment Period is
terminated by the Company for Cause or by Employee upon his resignation or his
voluntary termination of his employment with the Company hereunder for any
reason, the Employee shall be entitled to his Base Salary through the date of
termination, but Employee shall not be entitled to any further Base Salary or
any Bonus or Benefits for that year or any future year, or to any severance
compensation of any kind, nature or amount; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in the case
of Employee's resignation or Employee's voluntary termination, Employee shall
continue to be entitled to the benefits to the extent provided in Sections
2.3(c)(ii)(C)(y) and 2.3(c)(ii)(F).

          (c)  PERMANENT DISABILITY. If Employee's employment is terminated as a
result of his Permanent Disability for which Employee receives disability
insurance payments under the disability insurance policy referred to as item 3
of SCHEDULE 2.3(c) hereto, the Company shall pay to Employee all previously
earned and accrued but unpaid Base Salary up to the date such disability
payments commence, but Employee shall not be entitled to any further Base Salary
or any Bonus for that year or any future year; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Employee
shall be entitled to the benefits paid pursuant to the disability insurance
policies referred to in Section 2.3(c)(ii)(D), and the benefits to the extent
provided in Sections 2.3(c)(ii)(C)(y), (E), (F), (G) and (H).

          (d)  DEATH. If Employee's employment is terminated as a result of his
death, the Company shall pay to Employee's estate, spouse or named beneficiary,
as applicable, all previously earned and accrued but unpaid Base Salary up to
the date of his death; provided, that Employee's estate, spouse or named
beneficiary, as applicable, shall be entitled to (i) the benefit of the life
insurance policy provided for in Section

                                        5
<Page>

2.3(c)(ii)(E), and (ii) the benefits to the extent provided for in Sections
2.3(c)(ii)(C)(y) and (F).

          (e)  TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. Subject to Section 2.4(f), if during
the Employment Period the Employee's employment is terminated by the Company
without Cause other than pursuant to paragraphs (c) or (d) above, Employee
agrees that no severance compensation of any kind, nature or amount shall be
payable, except for the following:

                    (i)  if such termination occurs on or after January 1, 2002
and on or prior to December 31, 2002, Employee shall be entitled to (x) all
previously earned and accrued but unpaid Base Salary up to the date of such
termination, plus an amount equal to Employee's Base Salary for one (1) calendar
year (I.E., assuming no increase pursuant to Section 2.3(d), $250,000) and
Employee's Bonus for one (1) calendar year (I.E., assuming no increase pursuant
to Section 2.3(e), $300,000), and (y) continued benefits after the date of such
termination until January 21, 2004 or later if, and to the extent, provided in
Sections 2.3(c)(ii)(C)(y), (E), (F) and (H); or

                    (ii) if such termination occurs on or after January 1, 2003
and on or prior to January 21, 2004, Employee shall be entitled to (x) all
previously earned and accrued but unpaid Base Salary up to the date of such
termination, plus an amount equal to Employee's Base Salary for the remainder of
such period and Employee's Bonus for one calendar year, provided that, if such
termination occurs, between January 1, 2004 and January 21, 2004, no Bonus
payment (or any portion thereof) shall be payable to Employee; and (y) continued
benefits after the date of such termination until January 21, 2004 or later if,
and to the extent, provided in Sections 2.3(c)(ii)(C)(y), (E), (F) and (H).

          (f)  Employee agrees that Employee shall be entitled to the payments
provided for in Section 2.4(e) if, and only if, Employee has not breached as of
the date of termination of the Employment Period the provisions of Sections 2.5,
2.6 and 2.7 hereof and does not breach such sections at any time during the
period for which such payments are to be made; PROVIDED, that the Company's
obligation to make such payments will terminate upon the occurrence of any such
breach during such severance period.

          (g)  Any payments pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be made in
monthly installments on the payment dates on which Employee's Base Salary would
have otherwise been paid if the Employment Period had continued, and, as of the
date of the final such payment, neither the Company nor any other member of the
Company Group shall have any further obligation to Employee pursuant to this
Section 2.4, except and, if, and to the extent, provided in Section 2.3(c)(ii)
(other than Section 2.3(c)(ii)(A)).

          (h)  EMPLOYEE HEREBY AGREES THAT NO SEVERANCE COMPENSATION OF ANY
KIND, NATURE OR AMOUNT SHALL BE PAYABLE TO EMPLOYEE, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET
FORTH IN THIS SECTION 2.4, AND EMPLOYEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM FOR
ANY OTHER SEVERANCE COMPENSATION.

                                        6
<Page>

     2.5  CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Employee acknowledges that the information,
observations and data obtained by him while employed by the Company or any other
member of the Company Group (whether prior to or during the Employment Period)
concerning the business or affairs of any member of the Company Group
("Confidential Information") are the property of the Company or such other
member of the Company Group. Therefore, Employee agrees that he shall not
disclose to any unauthorized Person or use for his own account any Confidential
Information without the prior written consent of the Board of the Company,
unless and to the extent that the aforementioned matters become generally known
to and available for use by the public other than as a result of Employee's acts
or omissions to act. Employee shall deliver to the Company at the termination of
Employee's employment, or at any other time the Company may request, all
memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes and software and other
documents and data (and copies thereof) relating to the Confidential
Information, Work Product (as defined below) and the business of the Company
Group which he may then possess or have under his control. Employee acknowledges
that (a) the Confidential Information is commercially and competitively valuable
to the Company Group; (b) the unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential
Information would cause irreparable harm to the Company Group; (c) the Company
or the other members of the Company Group have taken and are taking all
reasonable measures to protect their legitimate interest in the Confidential
Information, including, without limitation, affirmative action to safeguard the
confidentiality of such Confidential Information; (d) the restrictions on the
activities in which Employee may engage set forth in this Agreement, and the
periods of time for which such restrictions apply, are reasonably necessary in
order to protect the Company Group's legitimate interests in its Confidential
Information; and (e) nothing herein shall prohibit the Company or any other
member of the Company Group from pursuing any remedies, whether in law or
equity, available to Holding or the Company for breach or threatened breach of
this Agreement, including the recovery of damages from Employee.

     2.6  INVENTIONS AND PATENTS. Employee agrees that all inventions,
innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings,
reports, and all similar or related information which relates to the Company
Group's actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or
future products or services and which are conceived, developed or made by
Employee while employed by the Company or any other member of the Company Group
(whether prior to or during the Employment Period) ("Work Product") belong to
the Company or such other member of the Company Group, and Employee hereby
assigns to the Company his entire right, title and interest in any such Work
Product. Employee will promptly disclose such Work Product to the Board of the
Company and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Board of the Company
(whether during or after Employee's employment period) to establish and confirm
such ownership (including, without limitation, assignments, consents, powers of
attorney and other instruments).

     2.7  NONCOMPETE, NONSOLICITATION; NO DISPARAGEMENT.

          (a)  Employee acknowledges that in the course of his employment with
the Company or any other member of the Company Group he has become familiar, and

                                        7
<Page>

he will become familiar, with the Company Group's trade secrets and with other
Confidential Information and that his services have been and will be of special,
unique and extraordinary value to the Company Group. Therefore, Employee agrees
that, during the time he is employed by the Company or any other member of the
Company Group and thereafter for the period of time equal to two years after the
last severance payment of Base Salary or Bonus is received by Employee pursuant
to Section 2.4 (the "Noncompete Period"), Employee shall not directly or
indirectly own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services
for, or in any manner engage in any business with any person (including by
himself or in association with any person, firm, corporate or other business
organization or through any other entity) in competition with the businesses of
the Company Group as such businesses exist or are in process on the date of the
termination of Employee's employment, within any geographical area in which the
Company Group engages or plans on the date of the termination of Employee's
employment to engage in such businesses. Nothing herein shall prohibit Employee
from being a passive owner of not more than 2% of the outstanding stock of a
corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Employee has no active
participation in the business of such corporation.

          (b)  During the Noncompete Period, Employee shall not directly or
indirectly through another entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee
of the Company or any other member of the Company Group to leave the employ of
the Company or such other member of the Company Group, or in any way interfere
with the relationship between any member of the Company Group and any employee
thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company Group at any
time within the six-month period prior to the date of termination of Employee's
employment with the Company or any other member of the Company Group, or (iii)
induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor,
franchisee, franchisor or other business relation of the Company or any other
member of the Company Group to cease doing business with the Company or such
other member of the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship
between any such customer, supplier, licensee, licensor, franchisee, franchisor
or business relation and the Company or any other member of the Company Group.

          (c)  Employee agrees that: (i) the covenants set forth above in this
Section 2.7 are reasonable in geographical and temporal scope and in all other
respects, (ii) Holding and the Company would not have entered into this
Agreement but for the covenants of Employee contained herein, and (iii) the
covenants contained herein have been made in order to induce Holding and the
Company to enter into this Agreement.

          (d)  If, at the time of enforcement of the covenants set forth above
in this Section 2.7, a court or arbiter shall hold that the duration, scope or
area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under circumstances then
existing, the parties agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable
under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated duration, scope or
area and that the court shall be allowed to revise the restrictions contained
herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by law.

                                        8
<Page>

          (e)  Employee agrees that he will not now or at any time in the
future, make any communications, whether oral or written, which negatively
reflect upon, or disparage in any way, or induce or encourage others to
disparage in any way, the Company or Holding, any member of the Company Group,
their businesses, services, their products, or any of their directors, officers,
employees or agents. The Company and Holding agree that they will use their
reasonable best efforts to cause their respective directors and executive
officers to not now or at any time in the future, make any communications,
whether oral or written, which negatively reflect upon, or disparage in any way,
or induce or encourage others to disparage in any way, Employee or his service
to the Company Group.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     3.1  SPECIAL BONUS. In recognition of Employee's years of service to the
Company Group and continued dedication and commitment to the success of the
Company Group, and in consideration for, and appreciation of, Employee's
assistance with transitioning the Company's new Chief Executive Officer into
such role, past and continued guidance and assistance to members of the
Company's senior management, assistance in maintaining and further developing
the Company's relationships with its customers and service providers, assistance
in finding and developing new customers of the Company Group and past and
continued advice and guidance (strategic, operational, financial and other)
regarding the business and operations of the Company Group, upon the execution
of this Agreement, the Company shall pay Employee a special bonus equal to
$1,000,000 (the "Special Bonus"), payable in cash, plus an additional "gross-up"
payment equal to an amount such that, after payment by Employee of all federal,
state and local income taxes imposed on such "gross-up" payment, Employee
retains an amount of the "gross-up" payment equal to the federal, state and
local income taxes imposed upon the payment of the Special Bonus to Employee.
For purposes of determining the amount of the "gross-up" payment, Employee shall
be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rates of federal
income taxation applicable to individuals in the calendar year in which the
"gross-up" payment is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the
highest marginal rates of taxation applicable to individuals as are in effect in
the state and locality of Employee's residence in the calendar year in which the
"gross-up" payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income
taxes that can be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes, taking
into account any limitations applicable to individuals subject to federal income
tax at the highest marginal rates.

     3.2  BOARD MEMBERSHIP; RESIGNATION. Continuing during the Employment Period
or thereafter, unless Employee's employment hereunder is terminated by the
Company for Cause, for as long as Employee's beneficial equity interest in
Holding (I.E., Holding's Common Stock beneficially owned by Employee plus the
number of shares of Holding's Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock
options granted to Employee that have vested and are exercisable as of the time
of such determination in accordance with the terms of Holdings's 1997 Stock
Option Plan and any applicable stock option grant agreement) exceeds 2% of
Holding's Common Stock outstanding on a

                                        9
<Page>

fully diluted basis (I.E., all outstanding shares of Holding's Common Stock (not
including treasury shares) and all shares of Holding's Common Stock issuable in
respect of securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Holding's
Common Stock, share appreciation rights or options, warrants and other rights to
purchase or subscribe for shares of Holding's Common Stock or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Holding's Common Stock), Employee
shall be entitled to serve as a member of the Board of Holding. Employee hereby
agrees that upon termination of the Employment Period for any reason whatsoever,
Employee shall promptly resign from the Board of Holding (i) immediately if he
is terminated for Cause, (ii) on the date he violates the terms of Section 2.7,
or (iii) in all other events, as soon as his equity interest in Holding falls
below the 2% threshold set forth above, and if he does not so resign, Employee
may be removed from the Board of Holding by stockholder action. In addition,
except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, upon the termination
of his employment with the Company for any reason, Employee shall be deemed,
without the need to take further action, to have resigned his position as an
officer or director of any member of the Company Group effective on the date of
termination.

     3.3  EMPLOYEE'S REPRESENTATIONS. Employee hereby represents and warrants to
Holding and the Company that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Employee do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or
cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or
decree to which Employee is a party or by which he is bound, (ii) except for (x)
the Original Agreement, and (y), to the extent set forth in Section 3.7 below,
the Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of April 3, 1997, by and among Von
Hoffmann Corporation (now named "Von Hoffmann Holdings Inc.") (as successor to
VH Acquisition Corp.), the Company and Employee, which, except as set forth in
Section 3.7 or the Original Agreement and Section 3.7 below, expired by its
terms at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2001 (such agreement, the "1997 EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT"), Employee is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement,
noncompete agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person or
entity (other than the Company or Holding), and (iii) upon the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Holding and the Company, this Agreement shall be
the valid and binding obligation of Employee, enforceable in accordance with its
terms. Employee hereby acknowledges and represents that he has consulted with
independent legal counsel regarding his rights and obligations under this
Agreement and that he fully understands the terms and conditions contained
herein.

     3.4  SURVIVAL. Sections 2.3(c)(ii)(C)(y), 2.3(c)(ii)(E), 2.3(c)(ii)(F),
2.3(c)(ii)(G), 2.3(c)(ii)(H), 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.2 and Sections 3.5 through 3.15
shall survive and continue in full force in accordance with their terms
notwithstanding any termination of the Employment Period.

     3.5  NOTICES. All notices, demands or other communications to be given or
delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement will be in
writing and will be deemed to have been given when delivered personally, mailed
by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid,
or sent via a nationally recognized overnight courier, or sent via facsimile to
the recipient. Such notices, demands and other communications will be sent to
the address indicated below:

                                       10
<Page>

                 To the Company or Holding:
                        Von Hoffmann Corporation
                        1000 Camera Avenue
                        St. Louis, Missouri 63126
                        Attention to:  Chief Executive Officer
                        Facsimile:  (314) 966-0984

                 With a copy to:
                        DLJ Merchant Banking Partners II, Inc.
                        11 Madison Avenue
                        16th Floor
                        New York, New York 10010
                        Attention:  Thompson Dean
                                    David F. Burgstahler
                        Facsimile:  (212) 538-0415

                 To Employee:
                        Robert A. Uhlenhop
                        6 Claycrest
                        St. Louis, Missouri 63131
                        Facsimile:  (314) 991-2356

                 With a copy to:
                        Brian W. Berglund, Esq.
                        Bryan Cave LLP
                        One Metropolitan Square, 36th Floor
                        St. Louis, Missouri 63102
                        Facsimile: (314) 259-2020

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

     3.6  SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will
be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

     3.7  COMPLETE AGREEMENT. The Shareholders' Agreement, dated as of May 22,
1997 (as amended), among Holding and certain of its stockholders (the
"SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT"), the Security and Pledge Agreement, Management Stock
Purchase Agreement and Non-Recourse Secured Promissory Note, each between
Holding and Employee and each dated May 22, 1997, the stock option agreements
between Holding and Employee (as amended), this Agreement, and the specific
provisions of the 1997 Employment Agreement referred to below, embody the
complete agreement and

                                       11
<Page>

understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior
understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written
or oral, including the Original Agreement and the 1997 Employment Agreement,
which agreement terminated in all respects by its terms at 11:59 p.m. on
December 31, 2001; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, by virtue of Section 3.7 of the
Original Agreement and as expressly contemplated and agreed to hereunder, (i)
the provisions of the third clause of Section 2.3(c)(ii)(C) of the 1997
Employment Agreement shall continue to survive, and (ii) the gross-up provisions
contained in Section 2.3(c)(ii)(D) of the 1997 Employment Agreement shall
continue to survive until the payment to Employee of any such gross-up payments.

     3.8  COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts,
each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together
constitute one and the same agreement.

     3.9  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Except as otherwise provided herein, all
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by Holding, the Company, and their respective
successors and assigns. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, this
Agreement, including the obligations and benefits hereunder, may not be assigned
to any party by Employee.

     3.10 NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION. The language used in this Agreement will be
deemed to be the language chosen hereto by the parties hereto to express their
mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied to this
Agreement.

     3.11 DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

     3.12 GOVERNING LAW. All questions concerning the construction, validity and
interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto will be
governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic law of the State of
Missouri, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law
provision or rule (whether of the State of Missouri or any other jurisdiction)
that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
State of Missouri.

     3.13 REMEDIES. Each of the parties to this Agreement will be entitled to
enforce its rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages and
costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) caused by any breach of any
provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in its
favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an
adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, Sections 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 hereof, and that any party may in
its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent
jurisdiction (without posting any bond or deposit) for specific performance
and/or other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of
the provisions of this Agreement.

     3.14 DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

                                       12
<Page>

          (a)  ARBITRATION. In the event of disputes between the parties with
respect to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, such disputes shall be
resolved by and through an arbitration proceeding to be conducted under the
auspices of the American Arbitration Association (or any like organization
successor thereto) in Chicago, Illinois. Such arbitration proceeding shall be
conducted pursuant to the commercial arbitration rules (formal or informal) of
the American Arbitration Association in as expedited a manner as is then
permitted by such rules (the "Arbitration"). Both the foregoing agreement of the
parties to arbitrate any and all such claims, and the results, determination,
finding, judgment and/or award rendered through such Arbitration, shall be final
and binding on the parties hereto and may be specifically enforced by legal
proceedings.

          (b)  PROCEDURE. Such Arbitration may be initiated by written notice
from either party to the other which shall be a compulsory and binding
proceeding on each party. The Arbitration shall be conducted by an arbitrator
selected in accordance with the procedures of the American Arbitration
Association. Time is of the essence of this arbitration procedure, and the
arbitrator shall be instructed and required to render his or her decision within
thirty (30) days following completion of the Arbitration.

          (c)  VENUE AND JURISDICTION. Any action to compel arbitration
hereunder shall be brought in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, State of
Missouri.

     3.15 AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended
and waived only with the prior written consent of Holding, Company and Employee.

     3.16 FURTHER ASSURANCES. The parties hereto agree to take all action and to
do all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable as early as reasonably
practicable so that the terms of this Agreement shall be made applicable to and
consistent and not in conflict with certain other existing agreements concerning
Employee's relationship with the Company and Holding (other than the Original
Agreement and the 1997 Employment Agreement, except as expressly provided below
in this Section 3.16), and VICE VERSA, including, but not limited to, (x)
preserving the intent of Sections 3.1(c), (d) and (f) of the 1997 Employment
Agreement (if, and then only to the extent, necessary, proper or advisable),
and/or (y) appropriately amending any relevant provision of the Shareholders'
Agreement, the Special Nonqualified Stock Option Grant Letter from Holding to
Employee, dated as of May 22, 1997 (as amended), the Standard Nonqualified Stock
Option Grant Letter from Holding to Employee, dated as of May 22, 1997 (as
amended), the Non-Recourse Secured Promissory Note, dated May 22, 1997, issued
by Employee to the Company, and the Security and Pledge Agreement, dated May 22,
1997, between Employee and Holding, in any such case, if, and then only to the
extent, necessary, proper or advisable, and otherwise to carry out the purposes
of this Agreement. Employee also agrees to use his best efforts to minimize the
likelihood that the Company will not be entitled to deduct, for federal income
tax purposes, any amounts with respect to payments made to, or benefits
conferred upon, Employee pursuant to this Agreement.

                                       13
<Page>

     3.17 EFFECT ON ORIGINAL AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall supercede and
supplant the Original Agreement in all respects.

                                    * * * * *

                                       14
<Page>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Employment
Agreement as of the date first written above.

          THIS CONTRACT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION WHICH MAY BE
ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.

                                      COMPANY:

                                      VON HOFFMANN CORPORATION

                                      By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Robert S. Mathews
                                          Chief Executive Officer and President

                                      HOLDING:

                                      VON HOFFMANN HOLDINGS INC.

                                      By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Robert S. Mathews
                                          Chief Executive Officer and President

                                      EMPLOYEE:

                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      ROBERT A. UHLENHOP

[Signature page to this Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of
June __, 2002, by and among Von Hoffmann Holdings Inc., Von Hoffmann Corporation
and Robert A. Uhlenhop]

                                       15
<Page>

                                 SCHEDULE 2.3(c)

1.   Disability policy (number 9161587) provided by Massachusetts Mutual.

2.   Disability policy (number 9335328) provided by Massachusetts Mutual.

3.   Disability policy (number 17053) provided by Petersen International
     (Lloyd's of London).

4.   Life insurance policy (number 9856478) provided by Massachusetts Mutual.

5.   Two travel accident policies provided by CHUBB.

                                       16

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