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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 m5x5oaSkLg3UCgeVHLUDAw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000033002-04-000002.txt : 20040407
<SEC-HEADER>0000033002-04-000002.hdr.sgml : 20040407
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040407125456
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000033002-04-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040228
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040407

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GARDNER JAMES B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001200727

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05807
		FILM NUMBER:		04721827

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ENNIS
		STREET 2:		1510 N HAMPTON STE 300
		CITY:			DESOTO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75115
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8007525386

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000033002
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MANIFOLD BUSINESS FORMS [2761]
		IRS NUMBER:				750256410
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TX
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1510 N HAMPTON SUITE 300
		CITY:			DESOTO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75115
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9722287801

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1510 N HAMPTON SUITE 300
		CITY:			DESOTO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75115

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ENNIS TAG & SALESBOOK CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19700805
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000033002</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EBF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001200727</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GARDNER JAMES B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>SO Granted 4-17-03</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.67</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-04-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>11.67</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-04-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each incentive stock option contract expires ten years from date of grant, and provides that shares will become exercisable as follows: 25% after two years; 50% after three years; 75% after four years and 100% after five years; all from date of grant; all option contracts are granted at market price on the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Harve Cathey Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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