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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)
For the fiscal year ended December 28, 1997

OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)
For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission file number 1-1097

THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

OHIO 31-0455440
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

600 ALBANY STREET, DAYTON, OHIO 45401
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(937) 443-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT

Name of each exchange
Title of each class on which registered
- ------------------- -------------------

Common stock $1.00 par value New York Stock Exchange

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT

None

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
--- ---

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant' knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

The aggregate market value of all stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant
at March 10, 1998 was approximately $405,846,000, based on a closing sales price
of $32.75 per share on March 10, 1998.

At March 10, 1998, the number of shares outstanding of the issuer's classes of
common stock are as follows:

Common stock, $1.00 par value 23,706,612 shares
Class A stock, $1.00 par value 4,725,000 shares

Part III incorporates information by reference from the Proxy Statement for
Registrant's Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 15, 1998.


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THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY

FORM 10-K

PART I



ITEM 1. - BUSINESS

The Standard Register Company began operations in 1912 in Dayton, Ohio.
Throughout its history, the Company's primary business has been the design,
manufacture, and sale of business forms. To meet the needs of today's business
environment, the business form has evolved to incorporate a wide range of
sophisticated features and related services that facilitate the recording,
storage and communication of business transactions and information.

On December 31, 1997, the Company acquired the stock of Uarco
Incorporated (UARCO) for $245 million in cash. The acquisition was in line with
the Company's goal to become the leading document management company in the
industry. The addition of UARCO enhances the Company's positions in key industry
and product growth segments and creates the opportunity for significant
economies of scale. With the acquisition, Standard Register believes it will be
the largest company in the U.S. forms and pressure sensitive label market with
an approximate 15 percent share. Moore Corporation is estimated to be a close
second in the U.S. market.

The UARCO acquisition occurred after the December 28, 1997 cut-off for
the Company's fiscal year and was therefore not reflected in the Company's 1997
financial statements. UARCO's estimated 1997 sales were $474 million, nearly 50
percent the size of Standard Register's $966 million in revenue. The Company
filed reports dated January 15, 1998 and March 13, 1998 on Forms 8K and 8K/A
with respect to the acquisition.

Effective January 1, 1998, the Company realigned its products and
services into two divisions. The Document Management and Systems Division
produces and delivers document management solutions to customers, including
workflow consulting, document design, custom printed forms and labels,
electronic forms, distribution services, and distributed intelligent printing
and mailing systems. The Company's Impressions Division is built generally
around the application of variable imaging technology, providing print on
demand, promotional direct mail, and document and plastic card fulfillment
services.

The Company's products and services are marketed by direct selling and
service organizations operating from offices located in principal cities
throughout the United States. Documents are printed at 68 geographically
disbursed locations in the U.S., including 15 sites obtained in the UARCO
acquisition. Documents are shipped directly to customers or are stored by the
Company in warehouses for subsequent on-demand delivery. The management of
document inventories to provide just-in-time delivery is a major element of
customer service.

The Company purchases raw paper in a wide variety of weights, grades,
and colors from various paper mills in the United States and Canada. Carbonless
paper, inks, and printing supplies are available nationally and are purchased
from leading vendors. Continuing efforts are made to assure adequate supplies to
meet present and future sales objectives. The Company fills its needs by
ordering from suppliers of long-standing relationship.

The Company had engineering and research expense during 1997 of $9.1
million compared to $7.8 million for both 1996 and 1995. These costs relate to
the development of new products and to the improvement of existing products and
services. These efforts are entirely company sponsored and involve seventy-two
professional employees.



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Expenditures for property, plant and equipment totaled $61.3 million in
1997, compared to $57.8 million and $48.3 million in 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

No significant changes occurred in the types of products, manufacture,
or method of distribution during the past fiscal year nor does the Company
intend to change its method of doing business in the near future. Other items of
information which may be pertinent to an understanding of the Company and its
business are as follows:

1.) The Company has several patents which provide a competitive advantage
or which generate license income. None of these, individually, have a
material effect upon the business.

2.) No material portion of the Company's business could be considered
seasonal.

3.) The Company believes its working capital is sufficient for its current
operations. The current ratio is 3.5 to 1 at December 28, 1997 as
compared to 4.0 to 1 at December 29, 1996 and 3.4 to 1 at December 31,
1995. Total debt, including long-term and current maturities, was 0.9%
of total capital at year-end 1997, compared to 1.0% and 2.6% for
years-end 1996 and 1995, respectively. At year-end 1997, cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investments exceeded current and long-term
debt by $79 million. Following the close of the fiscal year, the
Company financed the $245 million acquisition of UARCO by applying $15
million of cash and borrowing $230 million under a $300 million
revolving credit agreement. On a pro-forma basis, adjusting for the
effects of the acquisition, the Company's year-end 1997 current ratio
would be 3.6 to 1 and the net debt (total debt less cash, cash
equivalents, and short-term investments) to total capital ratio would
be 25.4 percent. These relationships demonstrate the soundness of the
Company's financial position.

4.) The business of the Company taken as a whole is not dependent upon
any single customer or a few customers. No single customer accounts
for 10% or more of total revenue.

5.) The Company's backlog of custom printing orders at February 28, 1998
was $85.7 million compared to $53.8 million and $58.2 million at
February 28, 1997 and February 29, 1996, respectively. The February
28, 1998 backlog included $17.6 million of business acquired in the
UARCO acquisition. All orders are expected to be filled within the
ensuing fiscal year.

6.) The Company has no significant exposure with regard to the
renegotiation or termination of government contracts.

7.) Expenditures made by the Company in order to comply with federal,
state, or local provisions of environmental protection have not had a
material effect upon the Company's capital expenditures, earnings, or
competitive position.

8.) At February 28, 1998, the Company had 9,743 employees compared to
6,488 and 6,460 at February 28, 1997 and February 29, 1996,
respectively. The February 28, 1998 count included 2,894 employees
resulting from the UARCO acquisition.

9.) Substantially all of the Company's products and services facilitate
the recording, storage and communication of business transactions and
information.

10.) No material portion of the Company's sales or net income is derived
from sales to foreign customers. The Company does offer technical
assistance to foreign business forms manufacturers and receives
royalties for these services. Royalties from these foreign associates
are approximately .1% of total revenue.



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In 1994, the Company entered into a joint venture with Russian and
Dutch partners to manufacture and market business forms in Russia. The Company's
$5.9 million investment was primarily in the form of refurbished equipment no
longer required by the Company in its U.S. operations. As a result of the
difficult business environment in Russia, the Company has written off its
investment, taking pretax charges of $4.9 million and $1.0 million in years 1996
and 1997, respectively.

ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES

The Company's principal production facilities are located in the
following cities:

- Dayton, Ohio
- Newark, Ohio
- Eudora, Kansas
- Shelbyville, Indiana
- Middlebury, Vermont
- York, Pennsylvania
- Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Porterville, California
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Terre Haute, Indiana
- Salisbury, Maryland
- Rocky Mount, Virginia
- Kirksville, Missouri
- Tampa, Florida
- Spring Grove, Illinois
- Charlotte, North Carolina

The following principal production facilities are from the acquisition
of UARCO:

- Corning, Iowa
- Deep River, Connecticut
- Fulton, Kentucky
- Roseburg, Oregon
- Radcliff, Kentucky
- Toccoa, Georgia
- Watseka, Illinois

With the exceptions of Tampa, Florida and Toccoa, Georgia, these
facilities are owned by the Company. In addition, the Company operates 38
smaller Stanfast Print Centers (including eight from the acquisition) and
fourteen Imagining Service Centers. In most cases these facilities are located
in major metropolitan locations in the U.S. and are leased.

The Company's current capacity, augmented by modest capital additions,
is expected to be sufficient to meet production requirements for the foreseeable
future. Capacity utilization varies significantly by press size and feature
capability. Most presses are in the 50 - 95 percent utilization range, averaging
an estimated 70 percent overall. The Company believes its production facilities
are suitable to meet future production needs.




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ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

(a) No material claims or litigation are pending against the Company.

(b) The Company has been named as a potentially responsible party by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or has received a similar
designation by state environmental authorities in several situations.
None of these matters have reached the stage where a significant
liability has been assessed against the Company. The Company has
evaluated each of these matters and believes that none of them
individually, nor all of them in the aggregate, would give rise to a
material charge to earnings or a material amount of capital
expenditures. This assessment is notwithstanding the ability of the
Company to recover on existing insurance policies or from other
parties which the Company believes would be held as joint and several
obligors under any such liabilities. However, since these matters are
in various stages of process by the relevant environmental
authorities, future developments could alter these conclusions.
However, management does not now believe that there is a likelihood of
a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company in
these circumstances.

ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to shareholders during the fourth quarter of
the fiscal year.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT




Officer
Name Age Office and Experience Since
---- --- --------------------- -----


Alan L. Baughn 62 Vice President and Secretary. Mr. Baughn has served 1995
in this position since April 1997. He previously
served as Vice President, Corporate Planning and
Development from March 1995 to April 1997 and Assistant
Vice President, Corporate Planning and Development from
August 1992 to March 1995.

Craig J. Brown 48 Senior Vice President, Administration, Treasurer and 1987
Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Brown has served in his
current position since March 1995, having previously
served as Vice President, Finance and Treasurer from April
1987 to March 1995.

Brian W. Calabro 41 Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Document Management 1997
Division. Mr. Calabro has served in his current position
since April 1997. He previously served as General Sales
Manager, National Accounts since July 1994 and Manager,
National Account Sales since November 1990.

H. Franklin Coffman 59 Vice President, Customer Service and Communications. 1995
Mr. Coffman has served in this position since March 1995.
Previously he held positions as Assistant Vice President,
Customer Service and Communications from January 1995 to
March 1995, Director, Field Automation and Customer
Support from October 1993 to January 1995, and National
Sales Manager from January 1992 to October 1993.



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John L. Crawford 62 Vice President, Internal Auditing. Mr. Crawford was elected 1995
to this position in March 1995. He previously served as
Assistant Vice President, Internal Auditing since August
1992.

James H. DeYoung 59 Vice President, International Operations. Mr. DeYoung has 1995
served in this position since March 1995. He previously
served as Assistant Vice President, International
Operations from January 1994 to March 1995 and Director,
World Trade from October 1990 to January 1994.

Peter A. Dorsman 43 Senior Vice President and General Manager, Document Systems 1996
Division. Mr. Dorsman has served in this position since
April 1997. He served as Senior Vice President and General
Manager, Equipment Division from January 1996 to April
1997. Prior to joining Standard Register in January 1996,
he held a number of senior marketing, strategic planning,
and sales management positions with NCR Corporation.

Paul H. Granzow 70 Chairman, Board of Directors. Mr. Granzow has served has 1984
Chairman of the Board of Directors since January 1984. He
is co-trustee of the John Q. Sherman Trust and also serves
as Senior Vice President and Director of the Weston Paper
and Manufacturing Company.

Peter S. Redding 59 President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Redding has 1981
served in his current position since December 1994. He
previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer from January 1994 to December 1994 and
Executive Vice President, Forms Division from January 1992
to January 1994.

C. Thomas Russell 44 Vice President, Electronic Products and Chief 1995
Information Officer. Mr. Russell has served in this position
since joining Standard Register in August 1995. Previously
he was a partner with a major management and software
consulting firm.

John E. Scarpelli 54 Vice President, Human Resources. Mr. Scarpelli was elected 1995
to this position in March 1995. He previously served as
Assistant Vice President, Human Resources from January
1993 to March 1995.

Joseph V. Schwan 61 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. 1991
Mr. Schwan has served in this position since April 1997.
Previously he served as Senior Vice President and General
Manager, Document Management Division from March 1995 to
April 1997 and Vice President, Forms Sales and Marketing
from August 1991 to March 1995.

Harry A. Seifert, Jr. 60 Vice President, Manufacturing. Mr. Seifert has held his 1987
current position since January 1997. Previously he had
been Vice President, Forms Manufacturing, Document
Management Division since August 1992.



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Michael Spaul 50 Senior Vice President and General Manager, Communicolor. 1991
Mr. Spaul has served in this position since March 1995. He
served as Vice President and General Manager of the
Communicolor Division from January 1990 through March
1995.


There are no family relationships among any of the officers. Officers
are elected at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, which is held
immediately after the annual meeting of shareholders, for a term of office
covering one year.



PART II



ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS

(a) The common stock of the Registrant is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange National Market under the symbol SR. Prior to May 14, 1996,
the common stock was traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the
symbol SREG. The range of high and low market prices and dividends
paid per share for each quarterly period during the two most recent
fiscal years are presented below.




1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash
Quarter Dividend High Low Last
------- -------- ---- --- ----


1st $0.20 $35.50 $31.75 $33.12
2nd $0.20 $35.75 $30.50 $30.50
3rd $0.20 $35.25 $30.50 $32.75
4th $0.20 $35.50 $32.00 $35.37



1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash
Quarter Dividend High Low Last
------- -------- ---- --- ----

1st $0.19 $24.37 $19.00 $23.75
2nd $0.19 $28.87 $23.37 $24.62
3rd $0.19 $27.87 $22.87 $27.62
4th $0.19 $32.50 $25.37 $32.50



(b) The number of shareholders of record of the Company's common stock as
of March 10, 1998 was 3,298, excluding individual holders whose
shares are held by nominees. There are also 16 holders of Class A
stock.

(c) Dividend policy - The Company expects to continue paying quarterly
cash dividends in the future, however, the amounts paid will be
dependent upon earnings and the future financial condition of the
Company. No events have occurred which would indicate a curtailment
of the payment of dividends.




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ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA



Selected Income Statement Data 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
- ------------------------------ ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Thousands except for per share data
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenue $965,674 $943,979 $903,240 $767,415 $722,120

Net income 66,894 63,157 47,759 43,876 42,185

Earnings per share:

Basic 2.35 2.20 1.67 1.53 1.47

Diluted 2.33 2.19 1.67 1.53 1.47

Selected Balance Sheet Data
- ---------------------------

Total assets $647,018 $588,113 $555,503 $525,659 $502,333

Long-term debt 4,600 4,600 4,600 11,071 17,546

Other
- -----

Cash dividends paid
per share .80 .76 .72 .68 .64



ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations: 1997 Compared to 1996
- --------------------------------------------

Net Income for 1997 was a record $66.9 million, 5.9 percent above
the $63.2 million reported for the prior year; Basic Earnings Per Share were
$2.35 compared to 1996's $2.20 result.

Total Revenue for 1997 was $965.7 million, up 2.3 percent from
$944.0 million in fiscal 1996. The largest of the Company's three divisions, The
Document Management Division, recorded a 4.3 percent increase in revenue to
$702.2 million, reflecting estimated gains of 2.1 percent in units and 2.2
percent in average selling prices. Within this Division, traditional business
forms and related services were down 1.9 percent, which compares favorably to an
estimated 4.0 percent decline in industry demand for these products. Revenues
for the Imaging Services and Stanfast Groups were up 21.0 percent and 26.2
percent, respectively, as the Company continued to exploit the significant
growth opportunities in these markets. The Company believes it continues to pick
up market share.

The Communicolor Division reported revenue of $97.3 million, down
4.2 percent from the prior year. The decline was attributed in part to the
mailing of fewer pieces by many of the Division's customers and competitive
pressures from commercial printers equipped with high resolution imaging
equipment. The Division took actions in 1997 to bolster its sales force and
product offering and saw consistent progress during the year; after seven
consecutive quarters of sales declines, fourth quarter revenue increased 5.0
percent.

Revenue for the Document Systems Division was $163.1 million, down
0.9 percent from 1996's result. New equipment installations were off 7.7 percent
reflecting the continuing transition from traditional forms handling equipment
to newer generation intelligent printing systems. Equipment maintenance was also
lower, off 2.9 percent, which resulted in part from an effort to trim
unprofitable business; parenthetically, dollar gross margins in the service
segment increased $3.5 million despite a $1.1 million drop in revenue. In other
product segments, supplies revenue rose 4.2 percent, Pressure Sensitive label
business grew 1.9 percent, and Electronic Services increased 19.4 percent.

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The gross margin improved from 39.1 percent of revenue in 1996 to
40.3 percent in the year just ended and was the major contributing factor to the
Company's increased profitability. This improvement is attributed primarily to
modestly improved pricing, lower average paper prices, and other manufacturing
cost improvements. After peaking at year-end 1995, paper prices generally fell
off until June 1997, when the first of the year's three price increases was
recorded. The Company raised the prices of its forms in December 1997 in
response to the rising costs of paper and other operating items. Notwithstanding
a competitive marketplace, the Company has historically been able to recover
higher paper costs over time by providing high value added products and services
to its customers.

Selling, administrative, and engineering costs increased 7.0 percent
from $225.6 million in 1996 to $241.5 million in 1997. The Company has increased
its investment in information services as part of a plan to implement integrated
systems to improve order management and management reporting. In addition, the
Company increased its level of sales support resource in the field as part of
its program to improve overall sales productivity.

A program to ensure that the Company's systems are Year 2000 compliant
by mid-year 1999 has been undertaken; $800,000 was incurred in 1997 and an
estimated $9.2 million will be spent during 1998 and 1999.

Depreciation and amortization rose 5.3 percent in response to higher
capital spending during the last two years. The income tax rate was 39.7 percent
compared to 41.4 percent in 1996. The lower tax rate is primarily attributed to
Russian joint venture capital losses incurred in 1996 and for which current or
future tax benefits were not provided.


Results of Operations: 1996 Compared to 1995
- --------------------------------------------

Net Income for 1996 was $63.2 million, 32.2 percent above 1995's $47.8
million result. Basic Earnings Per Share were $2.20 versus $1.67 in the prior
year. There were two significant adjustments in 1996 that essentially offset one
another: the write-down of the Company's investment in the Russian joint
venture, equivalent to approximately $0.13 per share after tax, and a favorable
LIFO inventory adjustment related to lower paper prices, also $0.13 per share.

There was an unfavorable LIFO inventory adjustment in 1995 equivalent
to $10.0 million after tax, or $0.34 per share. Excluding the LIFO adjustments
in both years and the Russian joint venture adjustment, Net Income was 9.7
percent higher.

Paper prices played significant roles in both years' results. The most
recent paper cycle began in June 1994 as the strengthening world-wide demand for
all paper products and relatively high utilization rates at paper mills
supported the first of many closely spaced price increases. By June 1995 the
weighted average of all papers purchased by the Company had risen nearly 45
percent. Paper prices remained stable for the balance of 1995 and fell during
the first four months of 1996, remaining at that level for the balance of the
year despite several attempts at increases by the paper companies. Average paper
prices in 1996 were 13 percent lower than in 1995.

Revenue in 1996 was $944.0 million, 4.5 percent above the $903.2
million reported for 1995. The Document Management Division reported $673.5
million in revenue, a 7.4 percent increase over 1995. Traditional business forms
revenue rose 0.9 percent while the Imaging Services, Stanfast, and Distribution
Services Groups produced a 23.7 percent overall increase.

The Communicolor Division, a producer of promotional direct mail,
reported revenue of $101.6 million, 11.5 percent below the 1995 result. This
reduction reflected fewer mailings, lower paper prices, and new competition from
commercial printers. Printing and imaging capacity added during 1996 was not
fully utilized, producing lower operating margins.



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The Document Systems Division generated revenue of $164.7 million, up
6.0 percent compared to 1995's $155.3 million. Note that these results were
restated for the reclassification of pressure sensitive labels and electronic
services to this Division from the Document Management Division. Revenue from
supplies was up 11.4 percent, but new equipment installations declined 2.3
percent and maintenance revenue was 5.5 percent below the prior year. The
reduction in equipment revenue reflects a product rationalization as part of the
Division's plan to focus primarily on intelligent printing applications. The
drop in maintenance revenue reflected the pruning of unprofitable accounts,
which produced a 4.0 percent increase in gross margin dollars despite the lower
revenue.

The Company's profit improvement was most evident at the gross margin
line. The gross margin for all products and services was 39.1 percent of revenue
in 1996, compared to 35.3 percent for 1995. Excluding the effects of LIFO
inventory adjustments in each of the years, the operating gross margin improved
from 37.2 percent to 38.4 percent, reflecting a favorable product mix, lower
paper costs, and the retention of some of the forms pricing gains made during
1995.

Selling, administrative, and engineering expenses totaled $225.5
million in 1996, 8.1 percent above the 1995 level. 1996's operating expenses
included the $4.9 million charge related to the Russian joint venture,
approximately $2.8 million in Electronic Services Group start-up costs, $2.7
million in roll-out costs for the Company's new order entry system, and $2.5
million for added sales support. Depreciation and amortization increased from
$29.3 million in 1995 to $34.8 million in 1996, primarily as a result of higher
capital spending in the last two years.

The increase in the income tax rate from 40.5 percent in 1995 to 41.4
percent in 1996 can be attributed to the Russian charge. The majority of this
charge was recorded as a capital loss which, in the absence of an offsetting
capital gain, did not permit a corresponding reduction in the tax provision.


Environmental Matters
- ---------------------

The Company has been named as one of a number of potentially
responsible parties at several waste disposal sites, none of which has ever been
Company owned. The Company has accrued for investigation and remediation at
sites where costs are probable and estimable. At this writing, there are no
identified environmental liabilities that are expected to have a material
adverse effect on the operating results or financial condition of the Company.


Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

The Company's financial condition remained very strong. The total
balance of cash and short-term investments was $83.6 million at year end,
compared to $4.6 million in total debt. Shareholders' equity ended the year at
$487.9 million.

Cash flow from operations was sufficient to fund a record $61.3
million of capital expenditures, $3.0 million of additional investment in F3
Corporation, $22.8 million of dividends, $12.2 million of stock repurchases, and
an increase in cash reserves of $17.8 million.

Capital expenditures in 1997 went in major part for manufacturing
capacity additions, automation of field sales offices, and internal application
software development. The Company expects 1998 capital spending to be in the $65
million to $75 million range.

On December 15, the Company entered into a $300 million unsecured
five-year revolving credit agreement underwritten by KeyBank, N.A. to provide
financing for the acquisition of Uarco, Inc. and other general corporate
purposes. The Company closed on the $245 million acquisition on December 31,
1997, applying $15 million of corporate cash and borrowing $230 million under
the revolver. Under the terms of the agreement, the interest rate is

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set periodically at a spread over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR); the
spread is based upon the Company's ratio of net debt (debt less cash and
short-term investments) to total capital. On a pro-forma basis, the Company's
net debt to total capital ratio following the December 31 acquisition was 25.4
percent. The Company subsequently entered into a five-year swap agreement that
effectively fixes the interest rate on $200 million of the debt at an all-in
cost of 6.0 percent.

In management's opinion, the combination of the revolving credit
agreement and internally generated cash flow will be sufficient to provide for
the Company's near-term financing needs.


ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable


ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA



Index to Financial Statements Page


Independent Auditors' Report 15
Balance Sheet - December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996 16-17
Statement of Income - Years ended December 28, 1997,
December 29, 1996 and December 31, 1995 18
Statement of Shareholders' Equity - Years ended
December 28, 1997, December 29, 1996 and December 31, 1995 19
Statement of Cash Flows - Years ended December 28, 1997,
December 29, 1996 and December 31, 1995 20
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 21-30


Index to Financial Statement Schedule, Years ended December 31, 1997,
December 29, 1996 and December 31, 1995

II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 31


All other schedules have been omitted because the information is not applicable
or is not material or because the information required is included in the
financial statements or notes thereto.


ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None



PART III



Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 are incorporated by reference from the
Company's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of shareholders.





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PART IV



ITEM 14 - EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) 1 and 2. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

The financial statements and financial statement schedule are
listed in the accompanying Index to Financial Statements on page
11 and are incorporated herein by reference.

3. EXHIBITS

The exhibits as listed on the accompanying index to exhibits on
page 14 are filed as part of this Form 10-K.

(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

The Company filed no current reports on Form 8-K during the
quarter ended December 28, 1997. Form 8-K and amended Form 8-K/A
were filed on January 15, 1998 and March 13, 1998, respectively.





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SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, The Standard Register Company has duly caused this Annual Report on
Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, on March 27, 1998.

THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY


By: /S/ P.S. Redding
------------------------------------
P. S. Redding, President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of The Standard
Register Company and in the capacities indicated on March 27, 1998:

Signatures Title
---------- -----


/S/ P. H. Granzow Chairman of the Board and Director
- ----------------------------
P. H. Granzow


/S/ C. J. Brown Senior Vice-President - Administration,
- ---------------------------- Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
C. J. Brown



P. H. Granzow, pursuant to power of attorneys which are being filed with this
Annual Report on Form 10-K, has signed below on March 27, 1998 as
attorney-in-fact for the following directors of the Registrant:

R. W. Begley, Jr. D. L. Rediker
F. D. Clarke, III A. Scavullo
G. G. Keeping J. J. Schiff, Jr.
P. S. Redding C. F. Sherman
J. Q. Sherman, II



/S/ P. H. Granzow
-------------------------------
P. H. Granzow




-13-


14




INDEX TO EXHIBITS




3. Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Company and Code of
Regulations. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the
Company's Registration Statement No. 33-8687.

3.1 Certificate of Amendment by the Shareholders to the Amended
Articles of Incorporation of The Standard Register Company.
Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K for year ended December 31,
1995.

10. Material contracts

10.3 The Standard Register Company Non-Qualified Retirement Plan.
Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K for year ended January 2,
1994.

10.4 The Standard Register Company Officers' Supplemental Non-Qualified
Retirement Plan. Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K for year
ended January 2, 1994.

10.6 The Standard Register Company Incentive Stock Option Plan.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 17, 1996.

10.8 The Standard Register Company Deferred Compensation Plan.
Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement No. 333-43055.

10.9 The Standard Register Company Management Incentive Plan.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders held April 16, 1997.

10.10 Stock Purchase Agreement dated November 26, 1997. Incorporated by
reference to Form 8-K filed January 15, 1998.

10.11 The Standard Register Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock
Purchase Plan. Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement
No. 333-05321.

13. Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule.

23. Consent of Independent Auditors.

24. Power of Attorney of R.W. Begley, Jr., F.D. Clark III, G.G.
Keeping, P.S. Redding, D.L. Rediker, A. Scavullo, J.J. Schiff, Jr.,
C.F. Sherman, J.Q. Sherman II.

27. Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR version).






-14-


15



EX-13






INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


Board of Directors and Shareholders
The Standard Register Company
Dayton, Ohio

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of The Standard Register
Company as of December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996, and the related
statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 28, 1997. Our audits also included the
financial statement schedule listed in Item 14(a)(2). These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement
schedules based upon our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Standard
Register Company as of December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996, and the results
of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 28, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.



/S/ BATTELLE & BATTELLE LLP

BATTELLE & BATTELLE LLP
Certified Public Accountants


Dayton, Ohio
January 23, 1998





-15-


16

THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY

BALANCE SHEET
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)





December 28 December 29
A S S E T S 1997 1996
------------ -----------

CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 67,556 $ 64,550
Short-term investments 16,055 1,215
Accounts receivable, less allowance for losses
of $2,864 and $3,638, respectively 191,031 178,711
Inventories 85,546 86,152
Deferred income taxes 6,168 8,206
Prepaid pension expense 5,371 952
Prepaid other expense 7,091 5,201
-------- --------
Total current assets 378,818 344,987
-------- --------




PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Buildings and improvements 67,874 61,711
Machinery and equipment 237,320 224,702
Office equipment 67,324 60,894
-------- ---------
Total 372,518 347,307
Less accumulated depreciation 155,634 141,021
-------- --------
Depreciated cost 216,884 206,286
Plant and equipment under construction 39,070 26,160
Land 4,081 3,512
------- --------
Total plant and equipment 260,035 235,958
-------- --------



OTHER ASSETS 8,165 7,168
-------- --------



Total assets $647,018 $588,113
======== ========




-16-



17

THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY

BALANCE SHEET
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)





December 28 December 29
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 1997 1996
----------- -----------


CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $ 25,296 $ 20,225
Dividends payable 5,968 5,738
Accrued compensation 34,817 34,355
Accrued other expense 4,581 5,536
Accrued taxes, except income 6,977 5,902
Income taxes payable 1,155 2,624
Customer deposits 21,003 4,185
Deferred service contract income 7,222 7,274
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities 107,019 85,839
--------- ---------


LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-term debt 4,600 4,600
Retiree health care obligation 28,779 27,643
Deferred income taxes 18,685 16,785
--------- ---------
Total long-term liabilities 52,064 49,028
--------- ---------


SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1.00 par value:
Authorized 50,500,000 shares
Issued 1997 - 24,308,437; 1996 - 24,204,392 24,308 24,204
Class A stock, $1.00 par value:
Authorized 4,725,000 shares
Issued - 4,725,000 4,725 4,725
Capital in excess of par value 31,599 28,705
Retained earnings 444,259 400,387
Cost of common shares in treasury:
1997 - 615,073 shares; 1996 - 239,486 shares (16,956) (4,775)
--------- ---------
Total shareholders' equity 487,935 453,246
--------- ---------


Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 647,018 $ 588,113
========= =========




See accompanying notes.

-17-

18

THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY

STATEMENT OF INCOME
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)







52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
December 28 December 29 December 31
1997 1996 1995
-------------- -------------- --------------


REVENUE $ 965,674 $ 943,979 $ 903,240
--------- --------- ---------

COST AND EXPENSE
Cost of products sold 576,292 575,316 584,088
Engineering and research 9,100 7,842 7,813
Selling and administrative 232,418 217,671 200,812
Depreciation and amortization 36,646 34,814 29,326
Interest 288 532 974
--------- --------- ---------
Total cost and expense 854,744 836,175 823,013
--------- --------- ---------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 110,930 107,804 80,227
--------- --------- ---------

INCOME TAXES
Current 40,098 42,009 32,752
Deferred 3,938 2,638 (284)
--------- --------- ---------
Total income taxes 44,036 44,647 32,468
--------- --------- ---------

NET INCOME $ 66,894 $ 63,157 $ 47,759
========= ========= =========



EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic $ 2.35 $ 2.20 $ 1.67
========= ========= =========

Diluted $ 2.33 $ 2.19 $ 1.67
========= ========= =========




See accompanying notes.

-18-


19


THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY

STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)






52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
December 28 December 29 December 31
1997 1996 1995
-------------- -------------- --------------


COMMON STOCK
Beginning balance $ 24,204 $ 24,142 $ 24,085
Add shares issued under:
Stock Incentive Plan 50 55 57
Dividend Reinvestment Plan 22 7 -
Stock Option Plan 32 - -
--------- --------- ---------
Ending balance 24,308 24,204 24,142
--------- --------- ---------

CLASS A STOCK 4,725 4,725 4,725
--------- --------- ---------

CAPITAL IN EXCESS OF PAR VALUE
Beginning balance 28,705 27,450 26,507
Add excess of market over par
value of shares issued under:
Stock Incentive Plan 1,562 1,062 943
Dividend Reinvestment Plan 709 193 -
Stock Option Plan 623 - -
--------- --------- ---------
Ending balance 31,599 28,705 27,450
--------- --------- ---------

RETAINED EARNINGS
Beginning balance 400,387 359,334 332,501
Add net income for year 66,894 63,157 47,759
Less cash dividends declared (23,022) (22,104) (20,926)
--------- --------- ---------
Ending balance 444,259 400,387 359,334
--------- --------- ---------

TREASURY SHARES
Beginning balance (4,775) (4,434) (3,852)
Cost of common shares purchased (12,181) (341) (582)
--------- --------- ---------
Ending balance (16,956) (4,775) (4,434)
--------- --------- ---------

Total shareholders' equity $ 487,935 $ 453,246 $ 411,217
========= ========= =========





See accompanying notes.

-19-



20


THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)



52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
December 28 December 29 December 31
1997 1996 1995
--------- --------- ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 66,894 $ 63,157 $ 47,759
--------- --------- ---------
Add (deduct) items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and amortization 36,646 34,814 29,326
Loss (gain) on sale of assets 346 1,508 (1,309)
Unrealized gain on investments (294) - -
Loss on other investments 1,852 4,383 830
Provision for deferred income taxes 3,938 2,638 (284)
Increase (decrease) in cash arising from
changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (12,320) 2,998 (29,757)
Inventories 606 11,665 2,856
Other assets (6,309) (2,494) 202
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 6,789 1,762 8,159
Income taxes payable (1,469) 90 256
Customer deposits 16,818 (4,149) (1,473)
Deferred income (52) (1,181) 1,095
--------- --------- ---------
Net adjustments 46,551 52,034 9,901
--------- --------- ---------

Net cash provided by operating activities 113,445 115,191 57,660
--------- --------- ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to plant and equipment (61,287) (57,783) (48,332)
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment 432 1,692 3,330
Purchases of short-term investments (15,000) - (1,330)
Sales of short-term investments 455 115 -
Additions to other investments (3,028) (1,008) (5,555)
Other investing activities (36) (675)
--------- --------- ---------

Net cash used in investing activities (78,464) (56,984) (52,562)
--------- --------- ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal payments on long-term debt - (6,471) (6,471)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 2,998 1,317 1,000
Purchase of treasury stock (12,181) (341) (582)
Dividends paid (22,792) (21,808) (20,634)
--------- --------- ---------

Net cash used in financing activities (31,975) (27,303) (26,687)
--------- --------- ---------

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS 3,006 30,904 (21,589)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 64,550 33,646 55,235
--------- --------- ---------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
AT END OF YEAR $ 67,556 $ 64,550 $ 33,646
========= ========= =========


SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $ 141 $ 565 $ 999
Income taxes $ 41,317 $ 42,115 $ 32,496
Non-cash investing activities:
Note receivable from sale of assets $ - $ 650 $ -


See accompanying notes.


-20-

21


THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)


NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Standard Register Company is a leading domestic supplier of
business forms, pressure sensitive labels, business equipment, direct mail
marketing materials, and document management services. The Company markets its
products and services through a direct sales organization located in offices
throughout the United States.

The Company operates in a single industry segment - providing products
and services that facilitate the recording, storage and communication of
business transactions and information. The accounting policies that affect the
more significant elements of the financial statements are summarized below.

USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.

FISCAL YEAR - The Company's fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest to
December 31. Each of the fiscal years ending December 28, 1997, December 29,
1996, and December 31, 1995 had 52 weeks.

CASH EQUIVALENTS - The Company classifies as cash equivalents all
highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
These are primarily composed of repurchase agreements, municipal notes and bond
funds, which are convertible to a known amount of cash and carry an
insignificant risk of change in value. Cash equivalents are valued at cost plus
accrued interest which also approximates market value.

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - Debt securities for which the Company has the
intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and
are stated at amortized cost. Securities are classified as trading when held for
short-term periods in anticipation of market gains and are reported at fair
market value, with unrealized gains and losses included in income.

INVENTORIES - Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.
Substantially all inventory costs are determined by the last-in, first-out
(LIFO) method. Finished products include printed forms stored for future
shipment and invoicing to customers.

PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - These assets are stated at cost less accumulated
depreciation. Costs of normal maintenance and repairs are charged to expense
when incurred. When the assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, their cost
and related depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and the
resulting gain or loss is included in current income. Impairment of asset value
is recognized whenever events or circumstances indicate that carrying amounts
are not recoverable.

DEPRECIATION - For financial statement purposes, depreciation is
computed by the straight-line method over the expected useful lives of the
depreciable assets. Depreciation expense was $36,431 in 1997, $34,601 in 1996,
and $29,143 in 1995. Estimated asset lives are:

Classification Years
-------------- -----

Buildings and improvements 10-40
Machinery and equipment 5-15
Office equipment 5-15


-21-


22



NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

INCOME TAXES - The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset
and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial and tax
bases, using enacted rates.

REVENUE RECOGNITION - The Company generally recognizes product and
related services revenue at the time of shipment to the customer. Under
contractual arrangements with some customers, custom forms which are stored for
future delivery are recognized as revenue when manufacturing is complete and the
order is invoiced. Revenue from equipment service contracts is recognized
ratably over the term of the contract.

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" is effective for the Company's 1997 fiscal year.
This new standard changes the manner in which earnings per share (EPS) amounts
are calculated and presented. Basic EPS is the per share allocation of net
income available to shareholders based on the weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS represents the per share allocation
of net income based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus
all common shares that potentially could have been issued under the Company's
stock option program.

ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK OPTIONS - The Company follows Accounting
Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees"
in accounting for its employee stock options. Under APB 25, no compensation
expense is recognized in the financial statements because the exercise price of
employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the
date of the grant. The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation."

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT - In June 1997, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". This
Statement significantly changes the way public business enterprises report
information about operating segments in annual financial statements. SFAS 131
uses a "management approach" to disclose financial and descriptive information
about an enterprise's reportable operating segments which is based on reporting
information the way management organizes the segments for making operating
decisions and assessing performance. SFAS 131 will be effective for the
Company's 1998 fiscal year and the reported business segments will reflect the
organizational structure of the Company at that time.


NOTE 2 - INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market determined by the
last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method had
been used, these inventories would have been $35,601 higher at December 28, 1997
and $34,885 higher at December 29, 1996.

Inventories at the respective year-ends are as follows:



December 28 December 29
1997 1996
----------- -----------


Finished products $ 58,675 $ 55,449
Jobs in process 16,500 18,573
Materials and supplies 10,371 12,130
------- -------

Total $ 85,546 $ 86,152
======= =======



-22-


23



NOTE 3 - LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consists of industrial development revenue bonds
issued by Rutherford County, Tennessee. Interest is payable semi-annually at
6.125%. Required annual principal payments subsequent to December 28, 1997 are
as follows: 1998 - None; 1999 - $525; 2000 - $555; 2001 - $590; and 2002 - $630.


NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:



1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----


Current
Federal $ 32,933 $ 33,285 $ 26,386
State and local 7,165 8,724 6,366

Deferred 3,938 2,638 ( 284)
-------- -------- -------

Total $ 44,036 $ 44,647 $ 32,468
======= ======= =======



The significant components of the deferred tax expense (benefit) are as
follows:



1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----


Depreciation $ 2,357 $ 853 $ 1,128
Pension 2,039 1,712 391
Inventories 110 267 976
Compensation and benefits ( 431) ( 33) ( 1,331)
Allowance for doubtful accounts 312 111 ( 690)
Retiree health care benefits ( 457) ( 620) ( 393)
Other 8 348 ( 365)
--------- ------- ----------
Total $ 3,938 $ 2,638 ($ 284)
======= ======= ========



The components of the net deferred tax asset and liability as of
December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996 are as follows:



December 28 December 29
1997 1996
----------- -----------

Deferred tax asset:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 1,153 $ 1,465
Inventories 2,524 2,634
Compensation and benefits 5,127 4,696
Pension ( 2,739) ( 700)
Other 103 111
-------- ---------
$ 6,168 $ 8,206
======= ========
Deferred tax liability:
Depreciation $ 30,272 $ 27,915
Retiree health care benefits ( 11,587) ( 11,130)
------ -------
$ 18,685 $ 16,785
======= =======




-23-


24


NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate and the
effective tax rate follows:



1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----


Statutory federal income tax rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
State and local income taxes 5.3 5.3 5.3
Other ( .6) 1.1 .2
---- ---- ----

Effective tax rate 39.7% 41.4% 40.5%
==== ==== ====



NOTE 5 - CAPITAL STRUCTURE

The Company has two classes of capital stock issued and outstanding,
Common and Class A. These are equal in all respects except voting rights and
restrictions on ownership of the Class A. Each of the 23,693,364 shares of
Common outstanding has one vote, while each of the 4,725,000 shares of Class A
is entitled to five votes. Class A stock is convertible into Common stock on a
share-for-share basis at which time ownership restrictions are eliminated.


NOTE 6 - EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA

The following per share data show the amounts used in computing
earnings per share (EPS) and the dilutive effects of stock options:



52 Weeks Ended December 28, 1997
--------------------------------
Net Shares Income
Income (000's) Per Share
------ ------- ---------


Basic $ 66,894 28,498 $2.35
====
Dilutive effect of stock options - 203
-------- -------
Diluted $ 66,894 28,701 $2.33
======== ====== ====


52 Weeks Ended December 29, 1996
--------------------------------
Net Shares Income
Income (000's) Per Share
------ ------- ---------


Basic $ 63,157 28,687 $2.20
====
Dilutive effect of stock options - 118
-------- ------
Diluted $ 63,157 28,805 $2.19
======== ====== ====





52 Weeks Ended December 31, 1995
--------------------------------
Net Shares Income
Income (000's) Per Share
------ ------- ---------


Basic $ 47,759 28,653 $1.67
====
Dilutive effect of stock options - -
-------- ------
Diluted $ 47,759 28,653 $1.67
======== ====== ====


The effects of stock options on diluted EPS are reflected through the
application of the treasury stock method. Under this method, proceeds received
by the Company, based on assumed exercise, are hypothetically used to repurchase
the Company's shares at the average market price for the period.

-24-


25


NOTE 7 - STOCK OPTION PLAN

During 1995, the Company adopted a stock option plan authorizing the
issuance of options for 2,000,000 shares of common stock to selected employees.
Under the terms of the plan, options may be either incentive or non-qualified.
The options have a term of ten years. The exercise price per share, determined
by a committee of the Board of Directors, may not be less than the fair market
value on the grant date. The options are exercisable over periods determined
when granted.

In April 1996, the Company's shareholders ratified the initial grant on
December 30, 1995 of 550,000 options with an exercise price of $20.125 per
share. Options to purchase 231,000 shares were granted on December 28, 1996 with
an exercise price of $32.375 per share. Options to purchase 214,000 shares were
granted on December 27, 1997 with an exercise price of $35.3125 per share.

The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees" and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plan.
Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized in the Company's financial
statements. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock option plan been
determined based on the fair value of such awards at the grant dates, consistent
with the methods of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", the Company's total and per share net
income would have been reduced as follows:



1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----


Net income As reported $ 66,894 $ 63,157 $ 47,759
Pro forma 65,101 62,512 47,759

Basic earnings per share As reported $ 2.35 $ 2.20 $ 1.67
Pro forma 2.28 2.18 1.67

Diluted earnings per share As reported $ 2.33 $ 2.19 $ 1.67
Pro forma 2.27 2.17 1.67


The fair values of options granted in fiscal years 1997, 1996, and 1995
were estimated at $10.58, $10.37, and $6.12 per share, respectively, using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the following assumptions:



1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----


Risk-free interest rate 5.7% 6.2% 5.4%
Dividend yield 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Expected life 5 years 5 years 5 years
Expected volatility 29.7% 31.5% 31.2%


Following is a summary of the status of the Company's stock option plan
during fiscal years 1997, 1996, and 1995:



1997 1996 1995
----------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Exercise Exercise Exercise
Shares Price Shares Price Shares Price
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----


Outstanding, beginning of year 776,000 $ 23.772 550,000 $ 20.125 - -
Granted 227,000 35.313 231,000 32.375 550,000 $20.125
Exercised ( 32,580) 20.125 - - - -
Canceled ( 46,000) 21.728 ( 5,000) 20.125 - -
--------- ------- -------
Outstanding, end of year 924,420 776,000 550,000
========= ======= =======


-25-


26


NOTE 7 - STOCK OPTION PLAN (CONTINUED)

Following is a summary of the status of stock options outstanding
at December 28, 1997:



Number Number Exercise Remaining
Outstanding Exercisable Price Term
----------- ----------- ----- ----


472,420 169,420 $ 20.125 8 years
225,000 123,600 32.375 9 years
227,000 - 35.313 10 years
------- -------

924,420 293,020
======= =======



NOTE 8 - PENSION PLANS

The Company has qualified defined benefit plans covering substantially
all of its employees. The benefits are based on years of service and the
employee's compensation at the time of retirement, or years of service and a
benefit multiplier. The Company funds its pension plans based on allowable
federal income tax deductions. Contributions are intended to provide not only
for benefits attributed to service to date but also for benefits expected to be
earned in the future. The Company has non-qualified plans which provide benefits
in addition to those provided in the qualified plans.

Pension fund assets are invested in a broadly diversified portfolio
consisting primarily of publicly-traded common stocks and fixed income
securities.

Assumptions used in the respective accounting years to determine
pension costs, are as follows:



1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----


Discount rate 8.5% 8.5% 8.5%
Rate of increase in compensation levels 5.0% 5.0% 4.0%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets 10.5% 10.5% 9.5%


Pension costs consist of the following components:



1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----


Service cost of benefits earned $ 6,476 $ 5,734 $ 4,776
Interest cost on projected benefit
obligation 13,265 12,431 10,573
Actual gain on plan assets ( 51,987) ( 22,507) ( 24,657)
Asset gain deferred 36,856 10,074 14,691
Amortization of transition asset ( 120) ( 605) ( 722)
Amortization of prior service costs 1,950 1,950 1,898
Amortization of net loss from prior periods 117 62 -
Cost of early retirement window 1,118 - -
------ ------- -------

Net pension cost $ 7,675 $ 7,139 $ 6,559
====== ======= =======




-26-



27


NOTE 8 - PENSION PLANS (CONTINUED)

The following table sets forth the plans' funded status and amounts
recognized in the Company's balance sheet at the respective year ends.



December 28, 1997 December 29, 1996
---------------------------- ------------------------------
Assets Accumulated Assets Accumulated
Exceed Benefits Exceed Benefits
Accumulated Exceed Accumulated Exceed
Benefits Assets Benefits Assets
-------- ------ -------- ------

Actuarial present value of:
Accumulated benefit obligation
Vested $127,611 $ 5,172 $115,115 $ 3,050
Non-vested 8,685 - 8,724 390
-------- --------- -------- ---------

Total $136,296 $ 5,172 $123,839 $ 3,440
======== ========= ======== =========

Projected benefit obligation $169,206 $ 9,470 $155,513 $ 6,421
======== ========= ======== =========

Plan assets at fair value $204,935 $ - $150,857 $ -
======== ========= ======== =========

Plan assets greater (less) than
projected benefit obligation $ 35,729 ($ 9,470) ($ 4,656) ($ 6,421)

Unrecognized net (gain) loss ( 32,575) 4,290 61 1,806

Unrecognized prior service cost 7,509 1,439 9,227 1,670

Minimum liability adjustment - ( 1,431) - ( 495)

Unrecognized transition asset ( 120) - ( 240) -
-------- --------- -------- ---------

Prepaid (accrued) pension expense $ 10,543 ($ 5,172) $ 4,392 ($ 3,440)
======== ========= ======== =========

Net asset recognized in
balance sheet $ 5,371 $ 952
======== ========



NOTE 9 - POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS

In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company provides certain
health care benefits for eligible employees who retired prior to July 1, 1992.

The components of postretirement benefit costs are as follows:



1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----


Service cost - - -
Interest cost $ 2,401 $ 2,728 $ 2,495
Amortization of net loss from prior periods - 266 143
------ ------ ------

Postretirement benefit cost $ 2,401 $ 2,994 $ 2,638
====== ====== ======


The funding policy is to pay claims as they occur. Payments for
postretirement health benefits, net of retiree contributions, amounted to
$1,265, $1,452 and $1,662 in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.





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NOTE 9 - POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS (CONTINUED)

The funded status of the plan at December 28, 1997 and December 29,
1996 is as follows:



December 28 December 29
1997 1996
----------- -----------


Accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation for retirees $ 25,597 $ 29,182
Plan assets - -
------- -------
Accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation in excess of plan assets 25,597 29,182
Unrecognized net gain (loss) 3,182 ( 1,539)
------- -------

Retiree health care obligation shown
in balance sheet $ 28,779 $ 27,643
======= =======


The accumulated benefit obligation was determined using the unit credit
method and an assumed discount rate of 8.5%. The assumed current health care
cost trend rate is 10.5% in 1997 and gradually decreases to 6.5% in the year
2014.

A one percent increase in the health care cost trend rates used would
result in a $298 increase in the service and interest components of expense for
1997 ($341 for 1996) and a $3,048 increase in the postretirement benefit
obligation at December 28, 1997 ($3,503 increase at December 29, 1996).


NOTE 10 - CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to a
concentration of credit risk principally consist of cash and equivalents,
short-term investments, and trade receivables. The Company's credit risk with
respect to trade receivables are, in management's opinion, limited due to
industry and geographic diversification. As disclosed on the balance sheet, the
Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts to cover estimated credit
losses.


NOTE 11 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS



December 28, 1997 December 29, 1996
----------------- -----------------
Fair Carrying Fair Carrying
Value Amount Value Amount
----- ------ ----- ------


Assets
Cash and equivalents $ 67,556 $ 67,556 $ 64,550 $ 64,550
Securities held to maturity 760 760 1,215 1,215
Trading securities 15,295 15,295 - -

Liabilities
Long-term debt $ 4,695 $ 4,600 $ 4,654 $ 4,600


The carrying amounts of cash equivalents and securities held to
maturity approximate fair value because of the short maturities of those
instruments. The fair value of trading securities is based on quoted market
prices. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on quoted market
prices for similar issues of the same remaining maturities.





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29


NOTE 12 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase commitments for capital improvements aggregated $8,972 at
December 28, 1997. Also, the Company has purchase commitments for equipment for
resale of $483 at December 28, 1997. The Company has no purchase agreements with
suppliers extending beyond normal quantity requirements.

The Company is obligated under several leases expiring at various
dates. Annual expense under these leases was $25,450 in 1997, $23,320 in 1996,
and $21,692 in 1995.

Rental commitments under existing leases at December 28, 1997, are:



Computer and
Real Sales Transportation Other
Estate Offices Equipment Equipment Total
------ ------- --------- --------- -----


1998 $7,703 $7,672 $308 $2,856 $18,539
1999 6,517 6,092 287 2,290 15,186
2000 5,302 4,366 161 1,844 11,673
2001 3,496 3,053 141 1,135 7,825
2002 1,895 1,535 99 999 4,528
Later years - 172 230 54 456


In the opinion of management, no litigation or claims, including
proceedings under governmental laws and regulations related to environmental
matters, are pending against the Company which will have an adverse material
effect on its financial condition.


NOTE 13 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On December 31, 1997, the Company acquired all outstanding shares of
Uarco Incorporated (Uarco), a subsidiary of Settsu Corporation of Osaka, Japan,
pursuant to a definitive purchase agreement dated November 27, 1997. Uarco
produces and markets business forms, pressure sensitive labels, business
equipment, supplies, and workflow systems to the U.S. market. At December 31,
1997, Uarco had approximately 3,200 employees located in 18 production
facilities and 125 sales offices. The unaudited sales of Uarco during 1997 were
approximately $470 million, excluding operations divested prior to the
acquisition date.

The purchase price was $245 million in cash, of which $230 million was
financed under a new five-year, unsecured bank revolving credit agreement. The
credit line provides for borrowings up to $300 million and bears interest at a
floating rate of LIBOR plus a spread dependent upon the debt to equity ratio. On
January 23, 1998, $200 million of the outstanding debt was swapped to an
effective fixed interest rate of 6.09%.

The acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase in fiscal 1998. The
purchase price will be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
based upon their estimated fair market values. The purchase price allocation
will be determined during 1998 when additional information becomes available.
Results of operations for Uarco will be included with those of the Company
beginning in fiscal 1998.



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NOTE 14 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Summarized quarterly financial data follow:




Quarters Ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------
March 30 June 29 September 28 December 28
1997 1997 1997 1997
-------- ------- ------------ -----------



Revenue $230,114 $236,467 $237,243 $261,850

Gross margin* 93,589 96,537 97,454 101,802

Net income 14,948 16,999 16,250 18,697

Basic earnings per share .52 .60 .57 .66

Diluted earnings per share .52 .59 .57 .65





Quarters Ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31 June 30 September 29 December 29
1996 1996 1996 1996
-------- ------- ------------ -----------



Revenue $229,673 $239,352 $230,853 $244,101

Gross margin* 85,290 91,644 91,435 100,294

Net income 13,563 16,086 16,065 17,443

Basic earnings per share .47 .56 .56 .61

Diluted earnings per share .47 .56 .56 .60





Quarters Ended
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
April 2 July 2 October 1 December 31
1995 1995 1995 1995
------- ------ --------- -----------



Revenue $204,499 $222,523 $227,922 $248,296

Gross margin* 74,509 77,090 78,455 89,098

Net income 10,781 12,041 11,718 13,219

Basic earnings per share .38 .42 .41 .46

Diluted earnings per share .38 .42 .41 .46




* Revenue less cost of products sold.




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31



SCHEDULE II


THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1997
(Dollars in thousands)







Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E
- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Additions
---------
(1) (2)
Charged
Balance at (Credited) Balance
beginning to costs Other at end
Description of period and expenses Additions Deductions of period
- ----------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------




Year Ended December 28, 1997
- ----------------------------
Allowance for doubtful
accounts $ 3,638 $ 1,051 $ 1,825(a) $ 2,864
Inventory obsolescence 2,303 2,915 2,362(b) 2,856



Year Ended December 29, 1996
- ----------------------------
Allowance for doubtful
accounts $ 3,913 $ 1,202 $ 1,477(a) $ 3,638
Inventory obsolescence 1,991 2,810 2,498(b) 2,303



Year Ended December 31, 1995
- ----------------------------
Allowance for doubtful
accounts $ 2,200 $ 3,656 $ 1,943(a) $ 3,913
Inventory obsolescence 3,392 2,879 4,280(b) 1,991





(a) Net uncollectible accounts written off
(b) Obsolete inventory scrapped or written
down to realizable value




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