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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000906318-04-000075.txt : 20040218
<SEC-HEADER>0000906318-04-000075.hdr.sgml : 20040218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040218102337
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000906318-04-000075
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040213
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040218

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MORGAN JOSEPH  P JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001222524

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11699
		FILM NUMBER:		04611991

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1001 WHISPERING PINE LANE
		CITY:			CENTERVILLE
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45458

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STANDARD REGISTER CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000093456
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MANIFOLD BUSINESS FORMS [2761]
		IRS NUMBER:				310455440
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0103

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		600 ALBANY ST
		CITY:			DAYTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45401
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5134341000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		600 ALBANY STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 1167
		CITY:			DAYTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45401-1167
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-13</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000093456</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STANDARD REGISTER CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001222524</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MORGAN JOSEPH  P JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>600 ALBANY STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DAYTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45408</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP, Chief Technology Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>19.7</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12876.92</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>19</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>19.85</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12857.92</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Pursuant to 10b5-1 Trading Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Joseph P. Morgan, Jr. by Kathryn A. Lamme, Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----