<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001209191-07-003908
<TYPE>4
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20070116
<FILING-DATE>20070117
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20070117
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>BOWNE & CO INC
<CIK>0000013610
<ASSIGNED-SIC>2750
<IRS-NUMBER>132618477
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>55 WATER STREET
<CITY>NEW YORK
<STATE>NY
<ZIP>10041-0006
<PHONE>2129245500
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>55 WATER STREET
<CITY>NEW YORK
<STATE>NY
<ZIP>10041-0006
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>KUCERA PHILIP E
<CIK>0001179911
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>001-05842
<FILM-NUMBER>07535540
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<PHONE>2129245500
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>BOWNE & CO INC
<STREET2>55 WATER STREET
<CITY>NEW YORK
<STATE>NY
<ZIP>10041
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
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    <periodOfReport>2007-01-16</periodOfReport>

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        <issuerTradingSymbol>BNE</issuerTradingSymbol>
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            <rptOwnerStreet2>55 WATER STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10041</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-12-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <value>14.125</value>
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                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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                <value></value>
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                <transactionShares>
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                <value>2008-12-15</value>
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                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned as of the date reported, including the number of deferred stock units credited to the Reporting Person under Company plans as permitted under applicable SEC rules.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Incentive Stock Options granted under the Company's 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan. Options became exercisable in 25% increments on the first four anniversaries of the grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Incentive Stock Options granted under the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan. Options became exercisable in 25% increments on the first four anniversaries of the grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Philip E. Kucera by Scott L. Spitzer under Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
