BANTA CORP
S-3/A, 1994-11-15
BOOK PRINTING
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                                                   Registration No. 33-55829


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C.  20549
                                 ______________

      
                          PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
       
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                Banta Corporation      
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


               Wisconsin                            39-0148550       
    (State or other jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     incorporation or organization)


                                 225 Main Street
                            Menasha, Wisconsin  54952
                                 (414) 751-7777                  
          (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
             area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)


         Ronald D. Kneezel                          with a copy to:
  Vice President, General Counsel
           and Secretary                           Bernard S. Kubale
         Banta Corporation                          Foley & Lardner
          225 Main Street                      777 East Wisconsin Avenue
     Menasha, Wisconsin  54952                Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202
        (414) 751-7777                              (414) 271-2400
(Name, address, including zip code,
  and telephone number, including
  area code, of agent for service)


               ___________________________________________________

        Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: 
   From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.


        If the only securities being registered on this Form are being
   offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check
   the following box. /_/


        If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be
   offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
   Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection
   with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
   box. /X/

      

       
                      ____________________________________

        The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date
   or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the
   Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that
   this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in
   accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this
   Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the
   Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

                                                                             
   <PAGE>

   Prospectus


                                BANTA CORPORATION
                            Dividend Reinvestment and
                               Stock Purchase Plan
                 500,000 Shares of Common Stock, $.10 Par Value

             Banta Corporation (the "Company") is offering to its
   shareholders and employees, and the employees of its subsidiaries, the
   opportunity to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.10 par
   value (the "Common Stock"), by reinvesting dividends and/or by making
   optional cash investments pursuant to the Banta Corporation Dividend
   Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan").  Eligible shareholders
   under the Plan may reinvest all or a portion of their cash dividends in
   shares of Common Stock as well as make optional cash investments of $25 or
   more per investment in Common Stock up to a total of $7,500 per calendar
   quarter.  Eligible employees under the Plan may make optional cash
   investments of $25 or more per investment in Common Stock up to a total of
   $7,500 per calendar quarter.  In addition, dividends on all shares
   acquired and held in the accounts of participants under the Plan will be
   automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock.

      
             The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under
   the symbol BNTA.  In this Prospectus, unless the context otherwise
   requires, all references to the Common Stock include the accompanying
   rights (the "Rights") to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to a
   Rights Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1991, between the Company and
   Firstar Trust Company, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement").  For a
   description of the Rights, see "Rights to Purchase Common Stock."
       

             The Plan provides that shares of Common Stock may be purchased
   for participants from the Company or in the open market or in privately
   negotiated transactions.  The price of newly issued shares purchased from
   the Company will be the average (computed to four decimal places) of the
   high and low prices of shares of Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
   Market on the date of purchase.  The price of shares of Common Stock
   purchased for participants on the open market or in privately negotiated
   transactions will be the weighted average of the prices paid for such
   shares.  No brokerage commissions, fees or service charges will be
   incurred by participants in connection with purchases of shares under the
   Plan (whether from the Company or on the open market or in privately
   negotiated transactions) or for participating in the Plan.  For a detailed
   summary of the Plan, see "The Plan."
                                 ______________

   The Company suggests that this Prospectus be retained for future
   reference.
                                 ______________

   THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
   PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY
   REPRESENTATION  TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                                 ______________

      
                The date of this Prospectus is November       , 1994
       

   INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT.  A
   REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH
   THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.  THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD
   NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION
   STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.  THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN
   OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE
   ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,
   SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR
   QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

   <PAGE>
                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

      
             The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
   Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance therewith files reports,
   proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
   Commission (the "Commission").  Such reports, proxy statements and other
   information filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public
   reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
   N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at its Regional Offices located at the
   Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
   Illinois 60661 and at 7 World Trade Center, 13th floor, New York, New York
   10048.  Copies of such material also may be obtained from the Public
   Reference Section of the Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
   rates.
       

             The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration
   Statement on Form S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits thereto
   referred to herein as the "Registration Statement") under the Securities
   Act of 1933 with respect to the Common Stock offered hereby.  This
   Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
   Registration Statement, certain parts of which have been omitted in
   accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission.  For further
   information, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement which
   may be inspected and copied in the manner and at the sources described
   above.

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

             The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission
   are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference and made a part hereof:

             1.   The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                  fiscal year ended January 1, 1994, which contains
                  audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
                  January 1, 1994.

      
             2.   The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
                  quarters ended April 2, July 2 and October 1, 1994.

             3.   The description of the Common Stock contained in Item
                  1 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A,
                  dated April 13, 1972, as amended by the Company's
                  filings on Form 8, dated July 31, 1972 and August 4,
                  1986, and Form 8-A/A, dated November 10, 1994, and any
                  other amendment or report filed for the purpose of
                  updating such description. 
       

             4.   The description of the Rights contained in Item 1 of
                  the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A,
                  dated November 5, 1991, and any amendment or report
                  filed for the purpose of updating such description.

      
             All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to
   Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
   after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of this
   offering, shall be deemed to be incorporated in this Prospectus by
   reference and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
   documents.  Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed
   to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus shall be deemed to be
   modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that
   a statement contained in this Prospectus or in any other subsequently
   filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
   in this Prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any statement
   so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or
   superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
       

             The Company will provide without charge to each person,
   including any beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon
   written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the
   information that has been incorporated in this Prospectus by reference
   (other than certain exhibits to documents incorporated by reference). 
   Such requests should be directed to Ronald D. Kneezel, Vice President,
   General Counsel and Secretary, Banta Corporation, 225 Main Street,
   Menasha, Wisconsin  54952, telephone:  (414) 751-7777.

                                   THE COMPANY

             The Company is one of the largest printing organizations in the
   United States, providing a wide range of printing and graphic arts
   services.  The Company serves four different market classifications: 
   commercial (catalogs, direct mail and single-use products); books
   (educational, general, trade, data manuals and software services);
   magazines; and other (prepress services and production of point-of-
   purchase displays and postage stamps).  The Company's principal executive
   offices are located at 225 Main Street, Menasha, Wisconsin 54952, and its
   telephone number is (414) 751-7777.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

             The Company has no basis for estimating either the number of
   authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock that will ultimately be
   sold by the Company pursuant to the Plan or the prices at which such
   shares will be sold.  Any net proceeds received by the Company from the
   sale of shares under the Plan will be added to the Company's general funds
   and used for general corporate purposes.  The Company will not receive any
   proceeds from the sale of shares under the Plan which are acquired on the
   open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

                                    THE PLAN

             The following is a summary of the provisions of the Plan.  The
   full text of the Plan is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
   as an exhibit to the Registration Statement relating to the shares of
   Common Stock which may be purchased under the Plan.  This summary is
   subject to, and qualified by, the complete terms of the Plan to which
   reference is hereby made.  This summary is not part of the legal documents
   constituting the Plan and does not modify it or serve as a legal
   interpretation of any of its provisions.

   Purpose

             The purpose of the Plan is to provide shareholders of record of
   the Company and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries with a
   simple and convenient method of purchasing shares of Common Stock.  Once
   enrolled in the Plan, eligible shareholders may use cash dividends and/or
   make optional cash investments to acquire additional shares of Common
   Stock without incurring purchase fees, such as brokerage commissions or
   service charges.  Eligible employees may use optional cash investments to
   acquire shares of Common Stock without incurring purchase fees.

   Administration of the Plan

             Firstar Trust Company (the "Trust Company") has been appointed
   by the Company as its agent to administer the Plan, maintain records, send
   statements of accounts to participants and perform other duties relating
   to the Plan, subject to the direction of the Company.  The Trust Company
   will hold for safekeeping the shares of Common Stock acquired under the
   Plan for each participant until termination of participation in the Plan
   or receipt of a request in writing from a participant for all or part of
   his or her Plan shares.  Shares held by the Trust Company will be
   registered in the name of the Trust Company or one of its nominees, as
   agents for participants in the Plan.  The Company acting through its Board
   of Directors may, at any time and in its sole discretion, appoint a
   successor administrator of the Plan upon 30 days' written notice to the
   Trust Company.

             All inquiries, notices, requests and other communications
   regarding participation in the Plan should be directed to the Trust
   Company as follows:

      
             Firstar Trust Company
             Banta Corporation Dividend Reinvestment
               and Stock Purchase Plan
             P.O. Box 2077
             Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53201
             Telephone:  (414) 276-3737 or (800) 637-7549
       

   Advantages of Participating in the Plan

             Participants in the Plan who are shareholders of record of
   Common Stock may:

             -    Automatically reinvest dividends on all or a portion of
                  their shares held of record.

             -    Invest additional cash (in amounts of not less than $25 per
                  investment, up to a total of $7,500 per calendar quarter)
                  to purchase additional shares of Common Stock.

             -    Establish a periodic investment plan by authorizing
                  automatic monthly withdrawals from their checking accounts
                  to purchase additional shares of Common Stock.

             Participants in the Plan who are eligible employees may:

      
             -    Invest cash (in amounts of not less than $25 per
                  investment, up to a total of $7,500 per calendar quarter)
                  to purchase shares of Common Stock.

             -    Establish a periodic investment plan by authorizing
                  automatic monthly withdrawals from their checking accounts
                  to purchase shares of Common Stock.
       

             All participants in the Plan will:

             -    Have cash dividends on shares credited to their Plan
                  accounts automatically reinvested in additional shares of
                  Common Stock.

             -    Participate without incurring fees in connection with
                  purchases of additional shares of Common Stock under the
                  Plan, including brokerage commissions or service charges.

             -    Benefit from full investment of funds under the Plan
                  because fractional shares, as well as whole shares, will be
                  credited to their accounts; dividends on such fractional
                  shares, as well as on whole shares, will be reinvested in
                  additional shares.

             -    Avoid the need for safekeeping of certificates for shares
                  of Common Stock credited to their accounts under the Plan.

             -    Receive periodic statements from the Trust Company
                  reflecting all current activity in their Plan accounts,
                  thereby affording participants simplified recordkeeping.

   Participation by Shareholders of Record

             Eligibility.  Any shareholder who has shares of Common Stock
   registered in his or her own name on the books of the Company is eligible
   to participate in the Plan.  A beneficial owner, whose shares are
   registered in the name of another (e.g., in a broker's "street name" or in
   the name of a bank nominee or trustee) and who desires to participate in
   the Plan, must either make appropriate arrangements with the record holder
   to participate on behalf of the beneficial owner or must become a
   shareholder of record by having part or all of such shares transferred
   into his or her own name.

             Participation by shareholders of record in the Plan is
   completely voluntary.  Shareholders who do not elect to participate in the
   Plan will continue to receive their cash dividends if, when and as
   declared by the Board of Directors of the Company.  Payment of dividends
   in the future by the Company will depend on future earnings, financial
   requirements and other factors.

             Investment Options.  An eligible shareholder of record may elect
   to participate in the Plan through the following dividend reinvestment
   and/or cash investment options:

             Full Dividend Reinvestment - Directs the Trust Company to
        reinvest the cash dividends on all shares of Common Stock
        currently or subsequently registered in the participant's name.

             Partial Dividend Reinvestment - Directs the Trust Company
        to reinvest the cash dividends on a designated number of the
        shares of Common Stock registered in the name of the
        participant.  The Company will continue to pay cash dividends
        directly to the participant on the other shares held in his or
        her name.

             Optional Cash Investments - Permits the participant to make
        optional cash investments of $25 or more per investment, up to a
        total of $7,500 per calendar quarter, for the purchase of
        additional shares of Common Stock, whether or not any dividends
        on the shares of Common Stock registered in the name of the
        participant are reinvested.  Such investments may be effected by
        making cash payments directly to the Trust Company or by
        authorizing the Trust Company to make monthly automatic
        withdrawals from the shareholder's checking account.

             All shares acquired by a shareholder through dividend
   reinvestment and optional cash investments will be credited to the
   participant's account under the Plan.  Cash dividends on shares (including
   any fractional share interest) of Common Stock held in the participant's
   account under the Plan will be automatically reinvested in additional
   shares of Common Stock.

      
             Enrollment.  An eligible shareholder may join the Plan at any
   time by completing and signing a Shareholder Authorization Form and
   returning it to the Trust Company.  If the shares of Common Stock are
   registered in more than one name (e.g., joint tenants or trustees), all
   registered holders must sign.  Shareholder Authorization Forms may be
   obtained at any time by writing the Trust Company.
       

             The reinvestment of a shareholder participant's dividends will
   begin with the dividend payment date immediately following the date on
   which a signed Shareholder Authorization Form specifying reinvestment of
   dividends is received by the Trust Company, provided that the Form is
   received by the Trust Company at least two business days before the record
   date for a dividend payment.  If the Shareholder Authorization Form is
   received after that time, the reinvestment of dividends will begin with
   the next cash dividend payment.  Dividend payment dates in the future for
   the Common Stock are expected to be the first business day of February,
   May, August and November.  Each corresponding record date is expected to
   be the second Friday in the month immediately preceding the month in which
   the dividend is paid.

             Participation in the Plan by an eligible shareholder making
   optional cash investments is described below under "Optional Cash
   Investments."

             Change of Investment Option.  A shareholder participant may
   change his or her investment option by obtaining and completing a new
   Shareholder Authorization Form and sending it to the Trust Company.  With
   respect to the reinvestment of dividends, the new Shareholder
   Authorization Form must be received by the Trust Company at least two
   business days before the record date for a dividend payment in order to be
   effective for such payment.

   Participation by Employees

             Eligibility.  Any full-time or part-time employee of the Company
   or any of its subsidiaries is eligible to participate in the Plan. 
   Employees need not be shareholders of record to participate in the Plan. 
   Participation by employees in the Plan is completely voluntary.

             Investment Options.  An employee may participate in the Plan by
   making optional cash payments directly to the Trust Company or by
   authorizing the Trust Company to make monthly automatic withdrawals from
   the employee's checking account.  For a discussion of the procedures for
   making optional cash investments, see "Optional Cash Investments" below.

             All shares acquired by an employee through optional cash
   investments will be credited to the employee's account under the Plan. 
   Cash dividends on shares (including fractional shares) of Common Stock
   held in the employee participant's account under the Plan will be
   automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock.

      
             Enrollment.  An employee may join the Plan at any time by
   completing and signing an Employee Authorization Form and returning it to
   the Trust Company.
       

             An employee's participation in the Plan will commence as soon as
   practicable after a completed Employee Authorization Form is received by
   the Trust Company.  In order to be entitled to receive dividends and have
   them reinvested under the Plan, an employee must have shares in his or her
   Plan account on or before a record date for the payment of dividends. 
   Dividend payment dates in the future for the Common Stock are expected to
   be the first business day of February, May, August and November.  Each
   corresponding record date is expected to be the second Friday in the month
   immediately preceding the month in which the dividend is paid.

             Employees Who Are Shareholders of Record.  An employee who is a
   shareholder of record and who desires to reinvest cash dividends on the
   shares of Common Stock held in his or her own name on the books of the
   Company may enroll in the Plan by executing a Shareholder Authorization
   Form and forwarding it to the Trust Company in the manner described above
   under "Participation by Shareholders of Record."

             Employee Participants Who Leave the Company.  Termination of
   employment does not automatically terminate participation in the Plan. 
   Dividends on shares held under the Plan for the account of an employee
   participant who leaves the Company will continue to be reinvested until
   the participant withdraws from the Plan.  Optional cash investments may
   continue to be made by such a participant so long as there are shares
   credited to his or her account under the Plan.

   Optional Cash Investments

             How the Cash Investment Option Works.  An initial optional cash
   investment may be made by an eligible shareholder or an eligible employee
   when enrolling in the Plan by sending a check or money order (payable to
   Firstar Trust Company) to the Trust Company with a completed and signed
   Shareholder Authorization Form (in the case of a shareholder of record) or
   Employee Authorization Form (in the case of an eligible employee).  Once
   enrolled, the participant may use forms supplied by the Trust Company with
   each statement of account to make additional optional cash investments. 
   Optional cash investments, if made by participants in such manner, need
   not be in the same amount each time.

      
             Participants under the Plan may also authorize the Trust Company
   to automatically deduct a fixed amount from their checking account each
   month to purchase Common Stock.  To make automatic optional cash
   investments, a participant must complete (including the section of the
   Form authorizing automatic deductions) and return to the Trust Company a
   Shareholder Authorization Form or an Employee Authorization Form, as the
   case may be, as well as deliver to the Trust Company a check from his or
   her checking account marked "VOID" across the front.  Automatic deductions
   will be made on the 25th (or the next succeeding business day if the 25th
   of the month is not a business day) of each month, starting with the month
   after the month in which the Trust Company receives a participant's
   completed Authorization Form providing for the automatic withdrawals.  A
   participant may change the amount of automatic withdrawals by obtaining
   and completing a new Authorization Form and sending it to the Trust
   Company.  Any such change will be effective starting with the month after
   the month in which the Trust Company receives the new Authorization Form. 
   A participant may likewise discontinue the automatic withdrawals by
   notifying the Trust Company in writing.  Discontinuing automatic
   withdrawals will not automatically terminate participation in the Plan. 
   The Trust Company will continue to reinvest dividends on shares in the
   participant's Plan account until the participant withdraws from the Plan. 
   See "Withdrawal from the Plan."
       

             Optional cash investments received from participants or
   automatically withdrawn from participants' accounts in any month will be
   applied by the Trust Company to the purchase of additional shares of
   Common Stock as of the Investment Date (as such term is defined under
   "Purchase of Shares" below) following the receipt of such payments except
   as otherwise provided herein.  To be reinvested on the next Investment
   Date, optional cash investments must be received by the Trust Company no
   later than the 25th of each month (or the next succeeding business day if
   the 25th of the month is not a business day).  Any optional cash received
   thereafter will be held by the Trust Company and invested on the next
   succeeding Investment Date.  NO INTEREST WILL BE PAID BY THE COMPANY OR
   THE TRUST COMPANY ON OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS.  THEREFORE, OPTIONAL CASH
   INVESTMENTS WHICH ARE MAILED TO THE TRUST COMPANY SHOULD BE SENT SO AS TO
   REACH THE TRUST COMPANY SHORTLY BEFORE THE MONTHLY DEADLINE.  PARTICIPANTS
   SHOULD ALLOW ADEQUATE TIME FOR MAILING.

             Limitations on Amounts of Optional Investments and Withdrawals. 
   Each optional cash investment by a participant must be at least $25, and
   the total of such investments may not exceed $7,500 during any calendar
   quarter (including both cash payments and automatic withdrawals).  All
   amounts received by the Trust Company for investment under the Plan must
   be denominated in United States dollars.  

             In the case of a nominee who holds Common Stock for more than
   one beneficial owner, optional cash investments of more than $7,500 per
   quarter may be made, provided such nominee certifies to the Trust Company
   and the Company, accompanied by such documentation as the Company may
   require, that each beneficial owner is not making optional cash
   investments in excess of the quarterly limit.

             Return of Uninvested Optional Cash Payments.  A participant may,
   without terminating participation in the Plan, obtain the return of any
   uninvested optional cash payments upon written request received by the
   Trust Company at least two business days prior to the applicable
   Investment Date.

   Costs and Expenses

             All out-of-pocket costs and expenses associated with the
   operation of the Plan, including service charges, will be paid by the
   Company.  However, a participant who withdraws from participation in the
   Plan and instructs the Trust Company to sell the Common Stock then held in
   the Plan for his or her account will be responsible for his or her pro
   rata share of applicable brokerage commissions, if any.

   Purchase of Shares

             Reinvested Common Stock dividends, optional cash investments and
   proceeds (which will be treated as optional cash investments) from the
   sale or redemption of Common Stock subscription or other rights, if any,
   received by the Trust Company on behalf of participants will be used to
   acquire either outstanding Common Stock, or authorized and previously
   unissued Common Stock from the Company, provided that the Company is
   willing to sell additional stock.  In making purchases for a participant's
   account, the Trust Company will combine the participant's funds with those
   of other participants.  It is understood that governmental regulations may
   require the temporary curtailment or suspension of purchases of Common
   Stock under the Plan.  No interest will be paid on funds held by the Trust
   Company pending investment under the Plan.

             Purchases of Common Stock under the Plan will be made on or as
   soon as practicable after the following applicable "Investment Dates":

             (a)  Each dividend payment date is an Investment Date for the
        reinvestment of cash dividends.

             (b)  The first business day of each month is an Investment Date
        for the investment of optional cash.

             The number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased for a
   participant under the Plan depends on the purchase price of Common Stock
   on the applicable Investment Date and on the amount of the participant's
   cash dividends and optional cash to be invested.  A participant's account
   will be credited with that number of shares of Common Stock (including any
   fractional share interest, computed to three decimal places) equal to the
   total amount to be invested divided by the applicable purchase price per
   share.

   Share Purchase Prices

             The price of shares of Common Stock purchased from the Company
   for participants will be the average (computed to four decimal places) of
   the high and low prices of shares of Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
   Market on the applicable Investment Date.  If no trading occurs on the
   Nasdaq National Market in the Common Stock on the applicable Investment
   Date, the price will be determined with reference to the next preceding
   date on which the Common Stock was traded.  The price of shares of Common
   Stock purchased for participants on the open market or in privately
   negotiated transactions will be the weighted average of the prices paid
   for such shares on the date the shares are purchased.  If shares are
   purchased on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions on
   more than one date, a weighted average of such averages will be used.  In
   the event investment under the Plan is made both in newly-issued and
   previously-issued shares, the shares purchased will be allocated
   proportionately among the accounts of all participants for whom funds are
   being invested at that time.

   Reports to Participants

             The Trust Company will maintain an account for each participant. 
   All shares of Common Stock (including any fractional shares, computed to
   three decimal places) purchased for a participant under the Plan will be
   credited to his or her account.  Each participant in the Plan will receive
   a quarterly statement of his or her account from the Trust Company as soon
   as practicable following each dividend payment date.  The Trust Company
   will also furnish a participant with an account statement as soon as
   practicable following the investment of any optional cash.

             Each participant also will receive copies of other
   communications sent to holders of Common Stock, including the Company's
   Annual and Quarterly Reports, the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy
   Statement, and information needed for reporting dividend income for
   Federal income tax purposes.

   Withdrawal from the Plan

             Timing and Effect of Withdrawal.  A participant may withdraw
   from the Plan at any time by notifying the Trust Company in writing.  A
   participant will be deemed to have withdrawn from the Plan upon the Trust
   Company receiving notice in writing of the participant's death. 
   Termination of participation in the Plan by a shareholder of record will
   immediately stop all reinvestment of the participant's dividends if the
   notice of withdrawal is received by the Trust Company not later than 10
   business days prior to the record date for the next dividend payment. 
   Investment of optional cash will stop immediately if notification of
   withdrawal from the Plan is received by the Trust Company at least two
   business days prior to the applicable Investment Date.  The entire amount
   of any optional cash received from which investment has been stopped by
   termination of participation in the Plan will be refunded to the
   participant.  In addition to the foregoing, the Trust Company may
   terminate any account by written notice to the participant and the
   Company.

             Sale of Shares or Issuance of Certificates upon Withdrawal from
   the Plan.  Upon termination of a participant's account, the participant
   (or his or her personal representative or other authorized agent) may
   elect to receive either stock or cash for all full shares in the
   participant's account.  If the participant's account with the Trust
   Company is terminated and the participant (or his or her personal
   representative or other authorized agent) elects to have the participant's
   shares in the Plan sold, the Trust Company will make such sale and send to
   the participant (or his or her personal representative or other authorized
   agent) the proceeds less any commissions.  Sales requests may be
   accumulated by the Trust Company, but no sales transactions will be
   delayed (unless otherwise required by law or unless required to allow the
   Trust Company to credit the last dividend payment to the participant's
   account) for more than 10 business days.  If funds are available, such
   shares may be purchased by the Trust Company for investment under the Plan
   at their current market value (determined in the same manner as the price
   of newly-issued shares is determined) as of the date of such sale to the
   Trust Company.  If no election is made, and within a reasonable time after
   termination of participation in the Plan, a certificate for the shares
   purchased under the Plan will be issued and delivered to the participant
   or his or her estate for all full shares.  In any event, any fractional
   interest in a share will be converted to cash at the market value as of
   the date of the sale thereof (determined in the same manner as the price
   of newly-issued shares is determined).

             Rejoining the Plan.  Any eligible shareholder of record or
   employee may rejoin the Plan at any time by completing a new Authorization
   Form.  However, the Company may reject any such Form from a previous
   participant on grounds of excessive termination and rejoining.

   Certificate for Shares

             Shares Held by the Trust Company.  Certificates for shares of
   Common Stock purchased under the Plan will not be issued to a participant
   unless requested by the participant or until his or her account is
   terminated.  The number of shares credited to a participant's account
   under the Plan will be shown on each account statement mailed to the
   participant.  While in the custody of the Trust Company, shares of Common
   Stock purchased under the Plan will be registered in the name of the Trust
   Company or one of its nominees.  This convenience protects against loss,
   theft or destruction of stock certificates.

             At any time a participant may, without terminating participation
   in the Plan, request in writing that the Trust Company issue a certificate
   for all or part of the whole shares credited to his or her Plan account. 
   Any remaining whole shares and fractional share interest will continue to
   be credited to the participant's account.  A participant must request
   issuance of a certificate for any shares of Common Stock purchased under
   the Plan which he or she desires to sell, pledge or transfer.

             Certificates for fractional share interests will not be issued
   under any circumstances.

             Name in Which Certificates will be Issued.  Shareholder
   participant's accounts under the Plan will be maintained in the names in
   which certificates for shares of Common Stock of such participants are
   registered at the time they enter the Plan.  The account of an employee
   participating in the Plan will be maintained in his or her name, unless
   instructed otherwise on an Employee Authorization Form (e.g., the account
   may be established in the joint names of the employee and such other
   person or persons as he or she may designate, such as his or her spouse or
   children).  Certificates for whole shares, when issued, will be registered
   in the names in which accounts under the Plan are maintained.

             Should a participant want his or her shares registered in any
   other name upon the withdrawal of the shares from the Plan, the
   participant must so indicate in his or her request to the Trust Company. 
   In the event of such a request, the participant will be responsible for
   any transfer taxes that may be due and for compliance with any applicable
   transfer restrictions.

             No Transfer of Shares Held in Plan; No Right to Draw Against
   Account.  Shares of Common Stock credited to the account of a participant
   under the Plan may not be assigned, pledged as collateral or otherwise
   transferred.  A participant who wishes to assign, pledge or otherwise
   transfer such shares must request that a certificate for such shares be
   issued in his or her name.  In addition, participants will not have the
   right to draw checks or drafts against their accounts under the Plan.

   General Information

             Sale or Transfer of Registered Shares.  If a participant
   disposes of all the shares of Common Stock registered in his or her name,
   but retains shares in the Plan, the Trust Company will continue to
   reinvest the cash dividends on shares in the Plan, subject to a
   participant's right to withdraw from the Plan at any time.

             If a shareholder participant who has selected the partial
   dividend reinvestment option disposes of a portion of the shares
   registered in his or her name, to the extent that such participant has
   registered in his or her name fewer shares than the number of shares
   designated as participating in the Plan, dividends on all shares remaining
   in the name of the participant will be reinvested under the Plan.  If such
   participant subsequently acquires additional shares registered in his or
   her name, such additional shares shall be deemed to participate in the
   Plan until the number of shares equals the number of shares designated as
   participating in the Plan on the participant's then current Shareholder
   Authorization Form.

             Stock Dividends and Issuance of Rights.  Any shares distributed
   pursuant to stock dividends or stock splits effected by the Company on
   shares held by the Trust Company for a participant will be credited to
   such participant's account.  In the event that the Company makes available
   to the holders of its Common Stock subscription or other rights to
   purchase additional shares of Common Stock or other securities, the Trust
   Company will (if and when such rights trade independently) sell the rights
   accruing to all shares held by the Trust Company for the participants and
   will apply the net proceeds of such sale to the purchase of additional
   shares of Common Stock.  The Company will notify each participant in
   advance of any such offer.  If the participant does not want the Trust
   Company to sell his or her rights and invest the proceeds, it will be
   necessary for such participant to transfer all full shares held under the
   Plan to his or her own name by a given date.  This will permit the
   participant to exercise, transfer or sell the rights on such shares.  In
   the event that rights issued by the Company are redeemed prior to the date
   that such rights trade independently, the Trust Company will invest the
   resultant funds in additional shares of Common Stock.

      
             Voting of Shares Held in the Plan.  Each participant in the Plan
   will receive a voting authorization card on which to indicate how the
   shares held by the Trust Company in such participant's Plan account should
   be voted.  The Trust Company will vote at any annual or special meeting of
   shareholders full shares of Common Stock held for each participant's
   account under the Plan in accordance with the directions provided by the
   participant to the Trust Company.  Fractional shares will not be voted. 
   In the event that a participant provides no direction to the Trust
   Company, shares held by the Trust Company for that participant under the
   Plan will not be voted.  If a participant also holds shares of Common
   Stock registered in his or her own name, such participant will receive a
   separate proxy card for those shares in connection with any meeting of
   shareholders.
       

             Duties and Responsibilities of the Company and the Trust
   Company.  Neither the Company nor the Trust Company nor its nominees will
   have any responsibility beyond the exercise of ordinary care for any
   action taken or omitted pursuant to the Plan, nor will they have any
   duties, responsibilities or liabilities except as expressly set forth in
   the Plan.  The Company and the Trust Company will not be liable under the
   Plan for any act, done in good faith, or for any good faith omission to
   act, including without limitation, any claims of liability (a) with
   respect to the time or prices at which shares are purchased or sold for a
   participant's account, or any inability to purchase or sell shares, (b)
   for any fluctuation in the market value after purchase or sale of shares,
   or (c) arising out of a failure to terminate a participant's account upon
   such participant's death prior to receipt of notice in writing of such
   death.

             Amendment and Termination of the Plan.  The Company reserves the
   right to suspend, modify or terminate the Plan at any time.  All
   participants will be notified of any suspension, termination or
   significant modification of the Plan within a reasonable time prior to
   such change.


                        FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

             The following summary sets forth the general Federal income tax
   consequences for an individual participating in the Plan.  This discussion
   is not, however, intended to be an exhaustive treatment of such tax
   considerations.  Future legislative changes or changes in administrative
   or judicial interpretations, some or all of which may be retroactive,
   could significantly alter the tax treatment discussed herein. 
   Accordingly, and because tax consequences may differ among participants in
   the Plan, each participant is urged to consult his or her own tax advisor
   to determine the particular tax consequences (including state income tax
   consequences) that may result from participation in and the subsequent
   disposal of shares purchased under the Plan.

   General Considerations

             In general, participants reinvesting dividends under the Plan
   have the same Federal income tax consequences with respect to their
   dividends as do shareholders who are not participants in the Plan.  On the
   dividend payment date, participants will receive a taxable dividend equal
   to the cash dividend reinvested, to the extent the Company has earnings
   and profits.  This treatment applies with respect to both the shares of
   Common Stock held of record by such participants and such participants'
   Plan account shares even though the dividend amount is not actually
   received in cash but is instead applied to the purchase of shares of
   Common Stock under the Plan.  If shares are purchased on the open market
   or in a privately negotiated transaction, each participant's share of
   brokerage fees, if any, paid by the Company will also be taxed as an
   additional dividend to that participant, to the extent the Company has
   earnings and profits.

             Shares or any fraction thereof of Common Stock purchased on the
   open market or in a privately negotiated transaction with reinvested
   dividends will have a tax basis equal to the amount paid therefor,
   increased by any brokerage fees treated as a dividend to the participant. 
   Shares or any fraction thereof of Common Stock purchased from the Company
   with reinvested dividends will have a tax basis equal to the amount of the
   dividend.  Whether purchased on the open market or in a privately
   negotiated transaction or from the Company, the shares or any fraction
   thereof will have a holding period beginning on the day following the
   purchase date.

             Participants that make optional cash investments under the Plan
   will be deemed to have received an additional taxable dividend in the
   amount of the participant's pro rata share of the brokerage commissions,
   if any, paid by the Company on the shares acquired under the Plan, to the
   extent the Company has earnings and profits.  Such brokerage commissions
   may only be incurred on the purchase of Common Stock on the open market or
   in privately negotiated transactions.  Shares or any fraction thereof
   purchased with optional cash investments will have a tax basis equal to
   the amount of such payments increased by the amount of brokerage fees, if
   any, treated as a taxable dividend to the participant with respect to
   those shares or fraction thereof.  The holding period for such shares or
   fraction thereof will begin on the day following the purchase date.

             Participants should not be treated as receiving an additional
   taxable distribution relating to their pro rata share of the Trust
   Company's fees or other costs of administering the Plan, all of which will
   be paid by the Company.  However, there can be no assurance that the
   Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") will concur with this position.  The
   Company has no present plans to seek formal advice from the IRS on this
   issue.

      
             Participants will not recognize any taxable income when they
   receive certificates for whole shares credited to their account, either
   upon their request for such certificates or upon withdrawal from or
   termination of the Plan.  However, participants will recognize gain or
   loss when whole shares acquired under the Plan are sold or exchanged
   either through the Plan at their request or by the participants after
   withdrawal from or termination of the Plan.  Participants will also
   recognize gain or loss when they receive cash payments for fractional
   shares credited to their  account upon withdrawal from or termination of
   the Plan.  The amount of gain or loss will be the difference between the
   amount a participant receives for his or her whole shares or fractional
   shares and the tax basis for such shares.  Provided that the shares are
   capital assets in the hands of the participant, the gain or loss
   will be a capital gain or loss, long-term or short-term depending on the
   holding period.

   Tax Withholding

             If a participant is a foreign shareholder whose dividends are
   subject to United States income tax withholding, or a participating
   domestic shareholder subject to backup withholding, the tax required to be
   withheld will be deducted from the amount of cash dividends reinvested. 
   Since such withholding tax applies also to  a dividend on shares credited
   to the participant's Plan account, only the net dividend on such shares
   will be applied to the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock.  The
   Company cannot refund amounts withheld.  Participants subject to
   withholding should contact their tax advisors or the IRS for additional
   information.

       

                         RIGHTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

             Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, each outstanding share of
   Common Stock (including shares acquired on the open market or in privately
   negotiated transactions under the Plan) has attached thereto one Right and
   each share subsequently issued by the Company prior to the expiration of
   the Rights Agreement will likewise have attached thereto one Right.  Under
   certain circumstances described below, the Rights will entitle the holder
   thereof to purchase additional shares of Common Stock.

             Currently, the Rights are not exercisable and trade with the
   Common Stock.  In the event the Rights become exercisable, each Right
   (unless held by a person or group which beneficially owns more than 20% of
   the outstanding Common Stock) will initially entitle the holder to
   purchase one-half of one share of Common Stock at a price of $60 per share
   (equivalent to $30 for each one-half share), subject to adjustment. 
   Subject to certain limitations, the Rights will only become exercisable if
   a person or group has acquired, or announced an intention to acquire, 20%
   or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.  Under certain
   circumstances, including the existence of a 20% acquiring party, each
   holder of a Right, other than the acquiring party, will be entitled to
   purchase at the exercise price Common Stock having a market value of two
   times the exercise price.  In the event of the acquisition of the Company
   by another corporation subsequent to a party acquiring 20% or more of the
   Common Stock, each holder of a Right will be entitled to receive the
   acquiring corporation's common shares having a market value of two times
   the exercise price.  The Rights may be redeemed at a price of $.01 per
   Right prior to the existence of a 20% acquiring party, and thereafter may
   be exchanged for one share of Common Stock per Right prior to the
   existence of a 50% acquiring party.  The Rights will expire on November
   15, 2001.  Under the Rights Agreement, the Board of Directors of the
   Company may reduce the thresholds applicable to the Rights from 20% to not
   less than 10%.  The Rights do not have voting or dividend rights and,
   until they become exercisable, have no dilutive effect on the earnings of
   the Company.

             The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects and may discourage
   or make more difficult the acquisition of the Company on a non-negotiated
   basis (such as by an unsolicited tender offer).  The Rights will not,
   however, affect a transaction approved by the Board of Directors of the
   Company prior to the existence of a 20% acquiring party since the Rights
   can be redeemed before the consummation of such transaction.


                                  LEGAL MATTERS

      
             Certain legal matters in connection with the sale of the shares
   of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by
   Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Bernard S. Kubale, a partner in
   the firm of Foley & Lardner, is a director of the Company.  As of
   November 1, 1994, Foley & Lardner attorneys who participated in the
   preparation of this Prospectus, including Mr. Kubale, beneficially owned
   an aggregate of 11,550 shares of Common Stock.  
       


                                     EXPERTS

             The consolidated financial statements and schedules included in
   the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, incorporated by reference
   in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement, have been audited by
   Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
   report with respect thereto, and are included in reliance upon the
   authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving
   said report.

   <PAGE>

         No person has been
    authorized to give any
    information or to make any
    representations, other than
    those contained or incorporated
    by reference in this Prospectus,
    in connection with the offer              BANTA CORPORATION
    made by this Prospectus and, if
    given or made, such information
    or representations must not be
    relied upon as having been
    authorized by the Company.  This
    Prospectus does not constitute
    an offer to sell or a
    solicitation of an offer to buy
    any security in any jurisdiction
    to any person to whom it is                    DIVIDEND
    unlawful to make such offer or               REINVESTMENT
    solicitation in such                             AND
    jurisdiction.  Neither the                  STOCK PURCHASE
    delivery of this Prospectus nor                  PLAN
    any sale made hereunder shall
    under any circumstances imply
    that there has been no change in
    the affairs of the Company since
    the date hereof or that the
    information contained herein or
    incorporated by reference herein
    is correct as of any time
    subsequent to its date.


            TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                 Page

    Available Information . . . .   2
    Incorporation of Certain                                      
     Documents by Reference . . .   2
    The Company . . . . . . . . .   3             PROSPECTUS
    Use of Proceeds . . . . . . .   3                             
    The Plan  . . . . . . . . . .   3
      Purpose . . . . . . . . . .   3
      Administration of the Plan    4
      Advantages of Participating
       in the Plan  . . . . . . .   4
      Participation by
       Shareholders of Record . .   5
      Participation by Employees    6
      Optional Cash Investments .   7
      Costs and Expenses  . . . .   9
      Purchase of Shares  . . . .   9
      Share Purchase Prices . . .   9
      Reports to Participants . .  10
      Withdrawal from the Plan  .  10
      Certificate for Shares  . .  11        November       , 1994
      General Information . . . .  12
    Federal Income Tax
     Considerations . . . . . . .  13
      General Considerations  . .  13
      Tax Withholding . . . . . .  14
    Rights to Purchase
     Common Stock . . . . . . . .  14
    Legal Matters . . . . . . . .  15
    Experts . . . . . . . . . . .  15



   <PAGE>
                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

   Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

        The following is a statement of estimated expenses to be paid by the
   Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the
   securities being registered hereby:

   Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee . . . $ 3,313         
   Accounting fees and expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,000         
   Legal fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     4,000         
   Printing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3,000         
   Miscellaneous expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,687         

        Total  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $13,000         
                                                              ======

   Item 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

        Pursuant to the provisions of the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law
   and the Registrant's By-Laws, directors and officers of the Registrant are
   entitled to mandatory indemnification from the Registrant against certain
   liabilities and expenses (i) to the extent such officers or directors are
   successful in the defense of a proceeding and (ii) in proceedings in which
   the director or officer is not successful in defense thereof, unless (in
   the latter case only) it is determined that the director or officer
   breached or failed to perform his or her duties to the Registrant and such
   breach or failure constituted:  (a) a willful failure to deal fairly with
   the Registrant or its shareholders in connection with a matter in which
   the director or officer had a material conflict of interest; (b) a
   violation of the criminal law unless the director or officer had
   reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was lawful or had no
   reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; (c) a
   transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper
   personal profit; or (d) willful misconduct.  It should be noted that the
   Wisconsin Business Corporation Law specifically states that it is the
   public policy of Wisconsin to require or permit indemnification in
   connection with a proceeding involving securities regulation, as described
   therein, to the extent required or permitted as described above. 
   Additionally, under the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law, directors of
   the Registrant are not subject to personal liability to the Registrant,
   its shareholders or any person asserting rights on behalf thereof for
   certain breaches or failures to perform any duty resulting solely from
   their status as directors, except in circumstances paralleling those
   outlined in (a) through (d) above.

        Expenses for the defense of any action for which indemnification may
   be available may be advanced by the Registrant under certain
   circumstances.

        The indemnification provided by the Wisconsin Business Corporation
   Law and the Registrant's By-Laws is not exclusive of any other rights to
   which a director or officer of the Registrant may be entitled.

        The Registrant maintains a liability insurance policy for its
   directors and officers as permitted by Wisconsin law which may extend to,
   among other things, liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933.

   Item 16.  Exhibits.
      

        Exhibit
        Number         Document Description

        (4.1)       Articles of Incorporation of Banta Corporation, as
                    amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19(b)
                    to Banta Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form
                    10-Q for the quarter ended April 3, 1993)

        (4.2)       By-laws of Banta Corporation, as amended
                    (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Banta
                    Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                    fiscal year ended January 1, 1994)

        (4.3)       Rights Agreement, dated October 29, 1991, between
                    Banta Corporation and Firstar Trust Company (f/k/a
                    First Wisconsin Trust Company), as Rights Agent
                    (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Banta
                    Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
                    October 29, 1991)

        (4.4)       Banta Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Stock
                    Purchase Plan

        (4.5)       Shareholder Authorization Form for use in
                    connection with the Banta Corporation Dividend
                    Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan

        (4.6)       Employee Authorization Form for use in connection
                    with the Banta Corporation Dividend Reinvestment
                    and Stock Purchase Plan

        (5)         Opinion of Foley & Lardner

        (23.1)      Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

        (23.2)      Consent of Foley & Lardner (included as part of
                    Exhibit (5) hereto)

        (24)        Power of Attorney relating to subsequent amendments
    
   Item 17.  Undertakings.

        (a)  The Registrant hereby undertakes as follows:

             (1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales
        are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration
        Statement:

                (i) To include any prospectus required by Section
             10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                (ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
             arising after the effective date of the Registration
             Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
             thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent
             a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
             Registration Statement;

                (iii)  To include any material information with respect
             to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
             Registration Statement or any material change to such
             information in the Registration Statement;

        provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do
        not apply if the information required to be included in a post-
        effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
        reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
        Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
        incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

             (2)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability
        under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective
        amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement
        relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of
        such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
        bona fide offering thereof.

             (3)    To remove from registration by means of a post-
        effective amendment any of the securities being registered which
        remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

        (b)  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
   of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing
   of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
   15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by
   reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
   Registration Statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
   offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
   bona fide offering thereof.

        (c)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
   Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
   controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
   provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the
   opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
   against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore,
   unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
   liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
   or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in
   the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
   such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
   securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of
   its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit
   to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
   indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
   will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

   <PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

      
        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
   Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
   meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused
   this amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
   the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Menasha, State
   of Wisconsin, on November 14, 1994.

                                 BANTA CORPORATION



                                      By:/s/ Ronald D. Kneezel               
                                         Ronald D. Kneezel
                                         Vice President, General Counsel
                                         and Secretary


             Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
   Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
   the capacities and on the date indicated.



         Signature                 Title                        Date



   Calvin W. Aurand, Jr.*      Chairman of the Board        November 14, 1994
   Calvin W. Aurand, Jr.       and Chief Executive 
                               Officer                  


   Gerald A. Henseler*         Executive Vice President,    November 14, 1994
   Gerald A. Henseler          Chief Financial Officer 
                               and Director

   Robert A. Kreider*          Treasurer                    November 14, 1994
   Robert A. Kreider


   Barry K. Allen*             Director                     November 14, 1994
   Barry K. Allen


   Jameson A. Baxter*          Director                     November 14, 1994
   Jameson A. Baxter



   Donald D. Belcher*          Director                     November 14, 1994
   Donald D. Belcher


   George T. Brophy*           Director                     November 14, 1994
   George T. Brophy



   William J. Cadogan*         Director                     November 14, 1994
   William J. Cadogan



   Bernard S. Kubale*          Director                     November 14, 1994
   Bernard S. Kubale



   Curtis W. Tarr*             Director                     November 14, 1994
   Curtis W. Tarr



   Donald Taylor*              Director                     November 14, 1994
   Donald Taylor


   Allan J. Williamson*        Director                     November 14, 1994
   Allan J. Williamson


   *By:  /s/ Ronald D. Kneezel        
        Ronald D. Kneezel
        Attorney-in-Fact
       

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

      
        Exhibit
        Number         Document Description

        (4.1)*    Articles of Incorporation of Banta Corporation, as
                  amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19(b) to
                  Banta Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the quarter ended April 3, 1993)

        (4.2)*    By-laws of Banta Corporation, as amended (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Banta Corporation's
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                  January 1, 1994)

        (4.3)*    Rights Agreement, dated October 29, 1991, between
                  Banta Corporation and Firstar Trust Company (f/k/a
                  First Wisconsin Trust Company), as Rights Agent
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Banta
                  Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
                  October 29, 1991)

        (4.4)*    Banta Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Stock
                  Purchase Plan

        (4.5)     Shareholder Authorization Form for use in connection
                  with the Banta Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and
                  Stock Purchase Plan

        (4.6)     Employee Authorization Form for use in connection with
                  the Banta Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Stock
                  Purchase Plan

        (5)*      Opinion of Foley & Lardner

        (23.1)*   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

        (23.2)*   Consent of Foley & Lardner (included as part of Exhibit (5)
                  hereto)

        (24)*     Power of Attorney relating to subsequent amendments 


                                    

   * Previously filed with this Registration Statement
     or incorporated herein by reference.
       

                         SHAREHOLDER AUTHORIZATION FORM
                                BANTA CORPORATION
                  DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

 1. Dividend Reinvestment                       reinvested in Banta Corporation
    (Check only one box - fill in amount        Common Stock.
    where appropriate)
 /_/ a. Full Cash Dividend Reinvestment.  I     ____________________________*
        wish to reinvest under the Plan cash    Signature
        dividends on all shares registered in
        my name.                                ____________________________
                                                Signature
   
 /_/ b. Partial Cash Dividend Reinvestment.    
        I wish to have cash dividends
        reinvested on __________ shares         Date _________________________
        personally held by me in certificate    (Please sign above exactly as
        form and on all Plan shares held in     name appears on reverse side. 
        my name.  I wish to have the balance    each shareholder must sign.)
        of my cash dividends mailed to me.     
    
                                                
 2. Optional Cash Investments (minimum $25     
    per month; maximum $7,500 per calendar
    quarter)                                    * Under penalties of perjury, I
    (Check one or both boxes)                   certify (1) that the number
 /_/ a. Cash Payment.  Please buy shares with   shown on the reverse of this
        the enclosed check or money order for   Form is my correct Taxpayer
        $_______ payable to Firstar Trust       Identification Number and (2)
        Company.                                that I am not subject to backup
 /_/ b. Automatic Investment Option.  I want    withholding because:  (a) I am
        cash deducted from my checking          exempt from backup withholding,
        account on the 25th day of each month   or (b) I have not been notified
        to buy shares.  If you choose the       by the Internal Revenue Service
        Automatic Investment Option, you must   (the "IRS") that I am subject to
        complete and sign the Authorization     backup withholding as a result
        below in addition to completing and     of a failure to report all
        signing the other portions of this      interest or dividends, or (c)
        Form.                                   the IRS has notified me that I
                                                am no longer subject to backup
 To the extent I have so designated, I hereby   withholding.
 elect to participate in the Plan and
 authorize Firstar Trust Company, as my
 agent, to apply cash dividends and any
 optional cash investments received by it on
 my behalf to the purchase of shares of Banta
 Corporation Common Stock.  I understand that
 all dividends received on shares credited to
 my Plan account will be automatically



                       (Please complete the reverse side)
   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

           AUTHORIZATION FOR AUTOMATIC DEDUCTION FROM CHECKING ACCOUNT

   
   AMOUNT TO BE DEDUCTED EACH MONTH FROM MY CHECKING ACCOUNT (MINIMUM $25.00
   PER MONTH; MAXIMUM $2,500 PER MONTH UP TO $7,500 PER QUARTER)
   $__________________
    

   NAME OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ___________________________________________

   ADDRESS OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ________________________________________
                                    Street     City      State       Zip Code
   CHECKING ACCOUNT NUMBER __________________________________

   ABA TRANSIT ROUTING NUMBER (Usually printed in the lower left corner of
   your check) ____  ____  ____  ____  ____  ____  ____  ____  ____

   I hereby authorize Firstar Trust Company to
   withdraw from my checking account on the
   25th of each month the amount specified
   above.  The funds will be used to purchase
   Banta Corporation Common Stock in
   accordance with the Banta Corporation
   Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase
   Plan.
   Please sign below exactly as name appears
   on your checking account. 

   ___________________________________________
   Signature

   ___________________________________________
   Please print your name

   Date _______________________________

       IMPORTANT:    YOU MUST ATTACH A VOIDED CHECK TO THIS FORM IF YOU ARE
                     ELECTING THE AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT OPTION
   <PAGE>
                         SHAREHOLDER AUTHORIZATION FORM
                                BANTA CORPORATION
                  DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN


   _________________________________________________________________________
   Name(s) exactly as set forth on your stock certificate

   _________________________________________________________________________
   Additional space for name(s) if necessary

   _________________________________________________________________________
   Street Address

   _________________________________________________________________________
   City                                 State                       Zip Code

   _____ - ___ - _____                             ___ - ______________

   Social Security Number (To be                   Employer Identification
   completed if the shareholder is                 Number (To be completed
   an individual.  If shares are                   if the shareholder is not
   held jointly, the Social                        an individual.)
   Security Number should be that
   of the first person listed on
   the stock certificate.)


                  BE SURE TO COMPLETE BOTH SIDES OF THIS FORM.
     MAIL TO FIRSTAR TRUST COMPANY, P.O. BOX 2077, MILWAUKEE, WI  53201-2077

                           EMPLOYEE AUTHORIZATION FORM
                                BANTA CORPORATION
                  DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

 I wish to participate in the Dividend
 Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan as   
 follows:                                       * Under penalties of perjury,
  (minimum $25 per month; maximum $7,500 per    I certify (1) that the number
 calendar quarter)                              shown on the reverse of this
                                                Form is my correct Taxpayer
 /_/ 1. Cash Payment.  Please buy shares with   Identification Number and (2)
        the enclosed check or money order for   that I am not subject to backup
        $_______ payable to Firstar Trust       withholding because:  (a) I am
        Company.                                exempt from backup withholding,
                                                or (b) I have not been notified
 /_/ 2. Automatic Investment Option.  I want    by the Internal Revenue Service
        cash deducted from my checking          (the "IRS") that I am subject to
        account on the 25th day of each month   backup withholding as a result
        to buy shares.  If you choose the       of a failure to report all
        Automatic Investment Option, you must   interest or dividends, or (c)
        complete and sign the Authorization     the IRS has notified me that I
        below in addition to completing and     am no longer subject to backup
        signing the other portions of this      withholding.
        Form.


   To the extent I have so designated, I hereby
   elect to participate in the Plan and
   authorize Firstar Trust Company, as my
   agent, to apply optional cash investments
   received by it on my behalf to the purchase
   of shares of Banta Corporation Common Stock. 
   I understand that all dividends received on
   shares credited to my Plan account will be
   automatically reinvested in Banta
   Corporation Common Stock.

   ______________________________*
   Signature

   Date ________________________
   (Please sign above exactly as name appears
   on reverse side.)


                       (Please complete the reverse side)
   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

           AUTHORIZATION FOR AUTOMATIC DEDUCTION FROM CHECKING ACCOUNT

   
   AMOUNT TO BE DEDUCTED EACH MONTH FROM MY CHECKING ACCOUNT (MINIMUM $25.00
   PER MONTH; MAXIMUM $2,500 PER MONTH UP TO $7,500 PER CALENDAR QUARTER)
    $_______________

   NAME OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTION __________________________________________

   ADDRESS OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTION _________________________________________
                                    Street    City    State          Zip Code
   CHECKING ACCOUNT NUMBER ________________________________________________

   ABA TRANSIT ROUTING NUMBER (Usually printed in the lower left corner of
   your check) ____  ____  ____  ____  ____  ____  ____  ____  ____

   I hereby authorize Firstar Trust Company to
   withdraw from my checking account on the
   25th of each month the amount specified
   above.  The funds will be used to purchase
   Banta Corporation Common Stock in
   accordance with the Banta Corporation
   Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase
   Plan.
   Please sign below exactly as name appears
   on your checking account.

   __________________________________________
   Signature

   ___________________________________________
   Please print you name

   Date ________________________________

       IMPORTANT: YOU MUST ATTACH A VOIDED CHECK TO THIS FORM IF YOU ARE
                  ELECTING THE AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT OPTION

   <PAGE>
                           EMPLOYEE AUTHORIZATION FORM
                                BANTA CORPORATION
                  DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

   Please print or type the information below exactly as you wish to register
   your account.

   _________________________________________________________________________
   Name

   _________________________________________________________________________
   Street Address

   _________________________________________________________________________
   City                               State                         Zip Code 

   _____ - ___ - _____
   Social Security Number

                  BE SURE TO COMPLETE BOTH SIDES OF THIS FORM.
     MAIL TO FIRSTAR TRUST COMPANY, P.O. BOX 2077, MILWAUKEE, WI  53201-2077

    


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