Earnings Per Share Computations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Numerator
Net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc.	$ 54,252	$ 59,639	$ 105,462	$ 90,422
Income allocated to participating securities (in dollars)	(798)	(1,071)	(1,557)	(1,672)
Net income available to common shareholders (in dollars)	$ 53,454	$ 58,568	$ 103,905	$ 88,750
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	105,171,000	109,103,000	106,151,000	109,049,000
Dilutive shares (in shares)	409,000	104,000	381,000	119,000
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	105,580,000	109,207,000	106,532,000	109,168,000
Per common share income
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.54	$ 0.98	$ 0.81
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.54	$ 0.98	$ 0.81
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	105,171,000	109,103,000	106,151,000	109,049,000
Basic weighted average common shares, outstanding and participating securities (in shares)	106,742,000	111,098,000	107,742,000	111,104,000
Percentage allocated to common shareholders (as a percent)	98.50%	98.20%	98.50%	98.20%
Antidilutive stock options and stock awards (in shares)	0	1,235,402