Champion Industries Amends Credit Agreement

HUNTINGTON, WV—April 6, 2010—Champion Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHMP) announced that it has amended its Credit Agreement dated September 14, 2007. The Second Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement dated March 31, 2010 (the "Amendment") is intended to allow Champion the flexibility to move forward with its strategic initiatives and enable the company to navigate the difficult environment encountered as a result of the global economic crisis.

It provides for extensive covenant relief including higher leverage ratios, lower fixed charge coverage ratios, lower EBITDA thresholds, EBITDA definition modifications, a reinstitution of LIBOR borrowings and a reduction in minimum revolving loan availability thresholds.

Marshall T. Reynolds, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Champion, said, "It is critical in difficult economic times to work out appropriate solutions with your banking partners. This assures stability in the markets and allows a company reasonable flexibility to run its business. We have previously indicated we expect several more difficult quarters of market instability but believe this covenant package puts us in a position to work through these economic challenges."

The amendment is subject to certain conditions, including but not limited to the Contribution Agreement and Cash Collateral Security Agreement, which will require Reynolds to provide to the Administrative Agent cash collateral and/or a standby letter of credit in an aggregate amount of not less than $2.5 million under terms which are further defined in the Contribution Agreement.

At February 28, 2010, the company had approximately $61.8 million of interest bearing debt. Our interest bearing debt has been reduced by approximately $22.6 million since October 31, 2007 through utilization of our earnings, cash flow and working capital management. The company is subject to various restrictive financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. The Company, pursuant to the terms of the Amendment has received waivers for violations outstanding prior to the effective date of the Amendment.

The company intends to file a related Form 8-K today with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. This filing will provide additional information regarding the financial and non-financial covenants, pricing and other related changes to the Credit Agreement pursuant to the Amendment.

About Champion Industries, Inc.:
Champion is a commercial printer, business forms manufacturer and office products and office furniture supplier in regional markets east of the Mississippi. Champion also publishes The Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, WV with a total daily and Sunday circulation of approximately 24,000 and 30,000, respectively. Champion serves its customers through the following companies/divisions: Chapman Printing (West Virginia and Kentucky); Stationers, Champion Clarksburg, Capitol Business Interiors, Garrison Brewer, Carolina Cut Sheets, U.S. Tag and Champion Morgantown (West Virginia); Champion Output Solutions (West Virginia); The Merten Company (Ohio); Smith & Butterfield (Indiana and Kentucky); Champion Graphic Communications (Louisiana); Interform Solutions and Consolidated Graphic Communications (Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey); Donihe Graphics (Tennessee); Blue Ridge Printing (North Carolina) and Champion Publishing (West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio).