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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Siq3OFvcjA2DhkTdLAsDKoup76Pp+sxiotX2Qdlc1UKJ71XC65cpXWmXWA/6vN1a
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-09-056528.txt : 20091211
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-09-056528.hdr.sgml : 20091211
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091211110458
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-09-056528
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091209
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091211
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091211

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Penders William
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001352465

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05842
		FILM NUMBER:		091235351

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 WATER STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10041

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOWNE & CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000013610
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMMERCIAL PRINTING [2750]
		IRS NUMBER:				132618477
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 WATER STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10041-0006
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2129245500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 WATER STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10041-0006
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-12-09</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000013610</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BOWNE &amp; CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BNE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001352465</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Penders William</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>55 WATER STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10041</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, Bowne &amp; Co, Inc.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Commom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-12-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>17500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>121745</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted Stock granted for no-cash consideration in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3(d).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">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, and including Restricted Stock granted under the 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan for no-cash consideration in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3(d).  This Restricted Stock grant will vest by a fourth on the first four anniversaries of the grant, to be fully vested in four years. The entire grant will immediately vest upon the grantee's retirement with the approval of the Board of Directors, his permanently disability or death.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>William Penders by Scott Spitzer under Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-12-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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