<PAGE>   1

     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 1994
                                                            Registration No. 33-

================================================================================
                                      
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                      
                               _______________
                                      
                                   FORM S-8
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                    UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               _______________
                                      
                       AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         GEORGIA                                            58-1030529
(State or other jurisdiction                             (I.R.S. Employer 
of incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)
                                            
          2100 RIVEREDGE PARKWAY, SUITE 1200, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328
         (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)



                                      
           AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC. 1981 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                                     and                       
     AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC. 1993 DIRECTORS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                          (Full title of the plans)         
                                      
                               _______________


                                                                                
                                                   
            DAWN M. GRAY                                     COPY TO:
         CORPORATE SECRETARY                                  
  AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC.                   MELANIE MCGEE PLATT, ESQ.
 2100 RIVEREDGE PARKWAY, SUITE 1200                   LONG, ALDRIDGE & NORMAN
       ATLANTA, GEORGIA  30328                  ONE PEACHTREE CENTER, SUITE 5300
(Name and address of agent for service)                 303 PEACHTREE STREET
           (404) 953-8300                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA  30308
(Telephone number, including area code,                    (404) 527-4000
        of agent for service)                  
                                                   
                                                   
<PAGE>   2

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

                                       
=====================================================================================================                 
Title of                                 Proposed                 Proposed
securities           Amount              maximum                  maximum               Amount of
to be                to be               offering price          aggregate              registration
registered           registered (1)      per share (2)           offering price (2)     fee (2)
=====================================================================================================    
<S>                   <C>                   <C>                    <C>                  <C>          
Common Stock,         50,716                $13.88                 $  703,938           $  242.72    
$2.00 par value        5,266                $21.625                $  113,877           $   39.26    
per share              9,438                $22.00                 $  207,636           $   71.59    
                     140,562                $21.625                $3,039,653           $1,048.07    
                                                                                                     
                                                                               Total    $1,401.64    
======================================================================================================  
</TABLE>                                       

(1)      The shares of Common Stock being registered represent (i) 50,716
         shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to options
         granted under the American Business Products, Inc. 1981 Stock Option
         Plan (the "1981 Plan"); (ii) 5,266 shares of Common Stock which may be
         acquired pursuant to options which may be granted in the future under
         the 1981 Plan; (iii) 9,438 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired
         pursuant to options or awards of restricted stock granted under the
         American Business Products, Inc. 1993 Directors Stock Incentive Plan
         (the "Directors Plan"); and (iv) 140,562 shares of Common Stock which
         may be acquired pursuant to options or awards of restricted stock which
         may be granted in the future under the Directors Plan. An undetermined
         number of additional shares may be issued, or the shares registered
         hereunder may be combined into an undetermined lesser number of shares,
         if the antidilution provisions of the 1981 Plan or the Directors Plan
         become operative. 

(2)      The average offering price for the 50,716 shares covered by
         options previously granted pursuant to the 1981 Plan is $13.88 per
         share.  The offering price for the 9,438 shares covered by options or
         awards previously granted pursuant to the Directors Plan is $22.00 per
         share.  The offering prices of the 5,266 shares and the 140,562 shares
         which may be acquired pursuant to options or awards which may be
         granted in the future under the 1981 Plan and the Directors Plan,
         respectively, are not presently determinable.  The offering price for
         such shares is estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) solely for the
         purpose of calculating the registration fee and is based upon the
         average of the high and low prices of the Registrant's Common Stock on
         May 10, 1994 as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange. 


<PAGE>   3
                                    PART II
                                       
              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                       

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The following documents heretofore filed by American Business
Products, Inc. (the "Company" or the "Registrant") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") hereby are incorporated herein by
reference as of their respective dates:

         (1)     The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 1993; 

         (2)     The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended March 31, 1994; and

         (3)     The description of the Company's Common Stock as contained in 
Item 1 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A (Registration No. 
1-7088), as filed with the Commission on November 20, 1972. 

         In addition, all reports and documents subsequently filed by the 
Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), subsequent to the date hereof
and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
and made a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         Section 14-2-202(b)(4) of the Georgia Business Corporation Code 
provides that a corporation's articles of incorporation may include a
provision that eliminates or limits the personal liability of directors for
monetary damages to a corporation or its shareholders for breach of their
fiduciary duties as directors.  The Section does not, however, authorize a
corporation to eliminate or limit the liability of a director for appropriating,
in violation of his duties, any business opportunity of a corporation, engaging
in intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, obtaining an improper
personal benefit, or authorizing a dividend, stock repurchase or redemption,
distribution of assets or other distribution in violation of Section 14-2-640 of
the Georgia Business Corporation Code or the articles of incorporation of a
corporation.  Section 14-2-202(b)(4) also does not eliminate or limit the right
of a corporation or any shareholder to seek an injunction, a rescission or any
other equitable (non-monetary) relief in the event of a breach of a director's
fiduciary duty.  In addition, Section 14-2-202(b)(4) applies only to claims
against a director arising out of his role as a director and does not relieve a
director from liability arising from his role as an officer or in any other
capacity.

         Sections 14-2-850 to 14-2-859, inclusive, of the Georgia Business
Corporation Code govern the indemnification of directors and officers.  Section
14-2-851 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code provides for indemnification
of directors of a corporation for liability incurred by them in connection with
any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding
(other than actions brought as derivative actions by or in the right of a
corporation) in which they may become involved by reason of being a director of
a corporation.  Section 14-2-851 also provides such indemnity for directors who,
at the request of a corporation, act as directors, officers, partners, trustees,
employees or agents of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or another enterprise.  The Section
permits indemnification if the director acted in a manner which he believed in
good faith to be in or not opposed to the best interest of a corporation and, in
addition, in criminal actions, if he had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct to be unlawful.  If the required standard of conduct is met,
indemnification may include judgments, settlements, penalties, fines or
reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred with respect to a
proceeding.  However, if the director is adjudged 





                                     II-1
<PAGE>   4
liable to a corporation in a derivative action or on the basis that
personal benefit was improperly received, the director will only be entitled to
such indemnification for reasonable expenses as a court finds to be proper in
accordance with the provisions of Section 14-2-854.

        Section 14-2-852 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code provides that
directors who are successful with respect to any claim against them are entitled
to indemnification against reasonable expenses as of right.  On the other hand,
if the charges made in any action are sustained, the determination of whether
the required standard of conduct has been met will be made, in accordance with
the provisions of Georgia Business Corporation Code Section 14-2-855, by either
the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, acting by disinterested members,
by special legal counsel or by the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted
under the control of directors seeking indemnification may not be voted.

        Section 14-2-857 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code provides that
an officer of a corporation (but not an employee or agent generally) who is not
a director has the mandatory right of indemnification granted to directors under
Section 14-2-852 as described above.  In addition, a corporation may indemnify
and advance expenses to an officer, employee or agent who is not a director to
the extent authorized by its articles of incorporation, bylaws, the Board of
Directors or by contract and to the extent such action is not inconsistent with
public policy.

        The provisions of Article Eight of the Company's Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation and Article VII of the Company's Bylaws are similar in
all substantive respects to those contained in Section 14-2-202(b)(4) and in
Sections 14-2-850 to 14-2-859, inclusive, of the Georgia Business Corporation
Code outlined above.  

        Officers and directors of the Company presently are covered by insurance
which (with certain exceptions and within certain limitations) indemnifies them
against any losses or liabilities arising from any alleged "wrongful act"
including any alleged breach of duty, neglect, error, misstatement, misleading
statement, omissions or other act done or wrongfully attempted.  The cost of
such insurance is borne by the Company as permitted by the Bylaws of the Company
and the laws of the State of Georgia.


ITEM 8. EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                     DESCRIPTION
- ------                                     -----------

   5                              Opinion of Long, Aldridge & Norman.

  23(a)                           Consent of Deloitte & Touche. 

  23(b)                           Consent of Long, Aldridge & Norman (included 
                                  in Exhibit 5).

  24                              Power of Attorney.










                                     II-2
<PAGE>   5
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS

        A.      RULE 415 OFFERING.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1)     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any
material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement. 

        (2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (3)     To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

        B.      SUBSEQUENT DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each filing of the Registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

        C.      INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND CONTROLLING PERSONS.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 6 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.










                                     II-3
<PAGE>   6

                                  SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, as of May 10, 1994. 

                           AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC.


                           By: /s/ Thomas R. Carmody                      
                               ------------------------------------
                                    Thomas R. Carmody
                               Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated as of May 10, 1994.

Signatures                             Title
- ----------                             -----           
                                       
/s/ Thomas R. Carmody                  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer   
- ---------------------------            Principal Executive Officer)            
Thomas R. Carmody                                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
/s/ W. C. Downer                       Vice President-Finance                  
- ---------------------------            (Principal Financial and Accounting     
W. C. Downer                           Officer)                                
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
F. Duane Ackerman*                     Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
F. Duane Ackerman                                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
John E. Aderhold*                      Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
John E. Aderhold                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
W. Joseph Biggers*                     Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
W. Joseph Biggers                                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
Henry Curtis VII*                      Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
Henry Curtis VII                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
Herbert J. Dickson*                    Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
Herbert J. Dickson                                                             
                                                                               
                                                                               
Robert W. Gundeck*                     Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
Robert W. Gundeck                                                              
                                                                               
                                       Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
Hollis L. Harris                                                               
                                                                               
                                 



                                     II-4

<PAGE>   7

W. Stell Huie*                          Director
- ----------------------                 
W. Stell Huie                          
                                       
- ----------------------                  Director
Thomas F. Keller                       
                                       
                                       
- ----------------------                  Director
G. Harold Northrop                     
                                       
                                       
- ----------------------                  Director
Marvin E. Schmalzried                  
                                       




*By: /s/ Dawn M. Gray                  
     ----------------------
     Dawn M. Gray,
     as Attorney-in-Fact 

                                       




                                     II-5
<PAGE>   8

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit                            
- -------

   5                              Opinion of Long, Aldridge & Norman.

  23(a)                           Consent of Deloitte & Touche. 

  23(b)                           Consent of Long, Aldridge & Norman (included 
                                  in Exhibit 5).

  24                              Power of Attorney.











                                     II-6
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS", "secsgml_size_bytes": 22388}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS INC", "cik": "0000004672", "assigned-sic": "2761", "irs-number": "581030529", "state-of-incorporation": "GA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "033-53627", "film-number": "94528169"}, "business-address": {"street1": "2100 RIVEREDGE PKWY STE 1200", "street2": "PO BOX 105684", "city": "ATLANTA", "state": "GA", "zip": "30328", "phone": "4049538300"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "PO BOX 105684", "city": "ATLANTA", "state": "GA", "zip": "30348"}}
1

     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 1994
                                                            Registration No. 33-

================================================================================
                                      
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                      
                               _______________
                                      
                                   FORM S-8
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                    UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               _______________
                                      
                       AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         GEORGIA                                            58-1030529
(State or other jurisdiction                             (I.R.S. Employer 
of incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)
                                            
          2100 RIVEREDGE PARKWAY, SUITE 1200, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328
         (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                      
           AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC. 1981 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                                     and                       
     AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC. 1993 DIRECTORS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                          (Full title of the plans)         
                                      
                               _______________

                                                                                
                                                   
            DAWN M. GRAY                                     COPY TO:
         CORPORATE SECRETARY                                  
  AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC.                   MELANIE MCGEE PLATT, ESQ.
 2100 RIVEREDGE PARKWAY, SUITE 1200                   LONG, ALDRIDGE & NORMAN
       ATLANTA, GEORGIA  30328                  ONE PEACHTREE CENTER, SUITE 5300
(Name and address of agent for service)                 303 PEACHTREE STREET
           (404) 953-8300                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA  30308
(Telephone number, including area code,                    (404) 527-4000
        of agent for service)
2
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

                                       
=====================================================================================================                 
Title of                                 Proposed                 Proposed
securities           Amount              maximum                  maximum               Amount of
to be                to be               offering price          aggregate              registration
registered           registered (1)      per share (2)           offering price (2)     fee (2)
=====================================================================================================
Common Stock,         50,716                $13.88                 $  703,938           $  242.72    
$2.00 par value        5,266                $21.625                $  113,877           $   39.26    
per share              9,438                $22.00                 $  207,636           $   71.59    
                     140,562                $21.625                $3,039,653           $1,048.07    
                                                                                                     
                                                                               Total    $1,401.64    
======================================================================================================
(1)      The shares of Common Stock being registered represent (i) 50,716
         shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to options
         granted under the American Business Products, Inc. 1981 Stock Option
         Plan (the "1981 Plan"); (ii) 5,266 shares of Common Stock which may be
         acquired pursuant to options which may be granted in the future under
         the 1981 Plan; (iii) 9,438 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired
         pursuant to options or awards of restricted stock granted under the
         American Business Products, Inc. 1993 Directors Stock Incentive Plan
         (the "Directors Plan"); and (iv) 140,562 shares of Common Stock which
         may be acquired pursuant to options or awards of restricted stock which
         may be granted in the future under the Directors Plan. An undetermined
         number of additional shares may be issued, or the shares registered
         hereunder may be combined into an undetermined lesser number of shares,
         if the antidilution provisions of the 1981 Plan or the Directors Plan
         become operative. 

(2)      The average offering price for the 50,716 shares covered by
         options previously granted pursuant to the 1981 Plan is $13.88 per
         share.  The offering price for the 9,438 shares covered by options or
         awards previously granted pursuant to the Directors Plan is $22.00 per
         share.  The offering prices of the 5,266 shares and the 140,562 shares
         which may be acquired pursuant to options or awards which may be
         granted in the future under the 1981 Plan and the Directors Plan,
         respectively, are not presently determinable.  The offering price for
         such shares is estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) solely for the
         purpose of calculating the registration fee and is based upon the
         average of the high and low prices of the Registrant's Common Stock on
         May 10, 1994 as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange.
3
                                    PART II
                                       
              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                       

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The following documents heretofore filed by American Business
Products, Inc. (the "Company" or the "Registrant") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") hereby are incorporated herein by
reference as of their respective dates:

         (1)     The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 1993; 

         (2)     The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended March 31, 1994; and

         (3)     The description of the Company's Common Stock as contained in 
Item 1 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A (Registration No. 
1-7088), as filed with the Commission on November 20, 1972. 

         In addition, all reports and documents subsequently filed by the 
Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), subsequent to the date hereof
and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
and made a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         Section 14-2-202(b)(4) of the Georgia Business Corporation Code 
provides that a corporation's articles of incorporation may include a
provision that eliminates or limits the personal liability of directors for
monetary damages to a corporation or its shareholders for breach of their
fiduciary duties as directors.  The Section does not, however, authorize a
corporation to eliminate or limit the liability of a director for appropriating,
in violation of his duties, any business opportunity of a corporation, engaging
in intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, obtaining an improper
personal benefit, or authorizing a dividend, stock repurchase or redemption,
distribution of assets or other distribution in violation of Section 14-2-640 of
the Georgia Business Corporation Code or the articles of incorporation of a
corporation.  Section 14-2-202(b)(4) also does not eliminate or limit the right
of a corporation or any shareholder to seek an injunction, a rescission or any
other equitable (non-monetary) relief in the event of a breach of a director's
fiduciary duty.  In addition, Section 14-2-202(b)(4) applies only to claims
against a director arising out of his role as a director and does not relieve a
director from liability arising from his role as an officer or in any other
capacity.

         Sections 14-2-850 to 14-2-859, inclusive, of the Georgia Business
Corporation Code govern the indemnification of directors and officers.  Section
14-2-851 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code provides for indemnification
of directors of a corporation for liability incurred by them in connection with
any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding
(other than actions brought as derivative actions by or in the right of a
corporation) in which they may become involved by reason of being a director of
a corporation.  Section 14-2-851 also provides such indemnity for directors who,
at the request of a corporation, act as directors, officers, partners, trustees,
employees or agents of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or another enterprise.  The Section
permits indemnification if the director acted in a manner which he believed in
good faith to be in or not opposed to the best interest of a corporation and, in
addition, in criminal actions, if he had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct to be unlawful.  If the required standard of conduct is met,
indemnification may include judgments, settlements, penalties, fines or
reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred with respect to a
proceeding.  However, if the director is adjudged 

                                     II-1
4
liable to a corporation in a derivative action or on the basis that
personal benefit was improperly received, the director will only be entitled to
such indemnification for reasonable expenses as a court finds to be proper in
accordance with the provisions of Section 14-2-854.

        Section 14-2-852 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code provides that
directors who are successful with respect to any claim against them are entitled
to indemnification against reasonable expenses as of right.  On the other hand,
if the charges made in any action are sustained, the determination of whether
the required standard of conduct has been met will be made, in accordance with
the provisions of Georgia Business Corporation Code Section 14-2-855, by either
the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, acting by disinterested members,
by special legal counsel or by the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted
under the control of directors seeking indemnification may not be voted.

        Section 14-2-857 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code provides that
an officer of a corporation (but not an employee or agent generally) who is not
a director has the mandatory right of indemnification granted to directors under
Section 14-2-852 as described above.  In addition, a corporation may indemnify
and advance expenses to an officer, employee or agent who is not a director to
the extent authorized by its articles of incorporation, bylaws, the Board of
Directors or by contract and to the extent such action is not inconsistent with
public policy.

        The provisions of Article Eight of the Company's Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation and Article VII of the Company's Bylaws are similar in
all substantive respects to those contained in Section 14-2-202(b)(4) and in
Sections 14-2-850 to 14-2-859, inclusive, of the Georgia Business Corporation
Code outlined above.  

        Officers and directors of the Company presently are covered by insurance
which (with certain exceptions and within certain limitations) indemnifies them
against any losses or liabilities arising from any alleged "wrongful act"
including any alleged breach of duty, neglect, error, misstatement, misleading
statement, omissions or other act done or wrongfully attempted.  The cost of
such insurance is borne by the Company as permitted by the Bylaws of the Company
and the laws of the State of Georgia.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                     DESCRIPTION
- ------                                     -----------

   5                              Opinion of Long, Aldridge & Norman.

  23(a)                           Consent of Deloitte & Touche. 

  23(b)                           Consent of Long, Aldridge & Norman (included 
                                  in Exhibit 5).

  24                              Power of Attorney.

                                     II-2
5
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS

        A.      RULE 415 OFFERING.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1)     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any
material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement. 

        (2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (3)     To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

        B.      SUBSEQUENT DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each filing of the Registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

        C.      INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND CONTROLLING PERSONS.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 6 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.

                                     II-3
6

                                  SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, as of May 10, 1994. 

                           AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC.

                           By: /s/ Thomas R. Carmody                      
                               ------------------------------------
                                    Thomas R. Carmody
                               Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated as of May 10, 1994.

Signatures                             Title
- ----------                             -----           
                                       
/s/ Thomas R. Carmody                  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer   
- ---------------------------            Principal Executive Officer)            
Thomas R. Carmody                                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
/s/ W. C. Downer                       Vice President-Finance                  
- ---------------------------            (Principal Financial and Accounting     
W. C. Downer                           Officer)                                
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
F. Duane Ackerman*                     Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
F. Duane Ackerman                                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
John E. Aderhold*                      Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
John E. Aderhold                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
W. Joseph Biggers*                     Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
W. Joseph Biggers                                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
Henry Curtis VII*                      Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
Henry Curtis VII                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
Herbert J. Dickson*                    Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
Herbert J. Dickson                                                             
                                                                               
                                                                               
Robert W. Gundeck*                     Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
Robert W. Gundeck                                                              
                                                                               
                                       Director                                
- ---------------------------                                                    
Hollis L. Harris                                                               
                                                                               
                                 

                                     II-4
7

W. Stell Huie*                          Director
- ----------------------                 
W. Stell Huie                          
                                       
- ----------------------                  Director
Thomas F. Keller                       
                                       
                                       
- ----------------------                  Director
G. Harold Northrop                     
                                       
                                       
- ----------------------                  Director
Marvin E. Schmalzried                  
                                       

*By: /s/ Dawn M. Gray                  
     ----------------------
     Dawn M. Gray,
     as Attorney-in-Fact 

                                       

                                     II-5
8

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit                            
- -------

   5                              Opinion of Long, Aldridge & Norman.

  23(a)                           Consent of Deloitte & Touche. 

  23(b)                           Consent of Long, Aldridge & Norman (included 
                                  in Exhibit 5).

  24                              Power of Attorney.

                                     II-6