-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 DGDkE4SYHbOk6q0dKTzO4g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-044485.txt : 20040921
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-044485.hdr.sgml : 20040921
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040921155946
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-044485
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040831
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040921
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040921

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Kelchen Steven Lawrence
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001302784

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20646
		FILM NUMBER:		041039409

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		770-948-3101

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3100 JOE JERKINS BLVD
		CITY:			AUSTELL
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30106

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000825692
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PAPERBOARD MILLS [2631]
		IRS NUMBER:				581388387
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3100 JOE JERKINS BLVD
		CITY:			AUSTELL
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30106
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7709483101

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 115
		CITY:			AUSTELL
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30168
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd53041.xml
<DESCRIPTION>INITIAL LONG TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE GRANT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000825692</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CSAR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001302784</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Kelchen Steven Lawrence</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3100 JOE JERKINS BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AUSTELL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30106</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP Carton &amp; Custom Packaging</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-08-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>17500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>2003 NQSO'S</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.87</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-08-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-08-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted shares issued pursuant to the Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">3,750 options vesting August 31, 2005 through August 31,2008.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lee Gentry, as attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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