ACQUISITIONS (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net sales
Net sales, pro forma										$ 5,030,956	$ 4,766,734
Net sales, as reported	1,270,200	1,357,900	1,370,200	1,324,400	1,248,800	1,294,300	1,270,200	1,021,700	5,322,670	4,835,042	3,514,586
Net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc.
Net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc., pro forma										211,947	177,895
Net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc., as reported	22,800	55,900	54,200	51,200	53,300	61,400	59,600	30,800	184,081	205,111	147,221
Diluted earnings per share:
Diluted earnings per share, pro forma (in dollars per share)										$ 1.91	$ 1.59
Diluted earnings per share, as reported (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.53	$ 0.51	$ 0.47	$ 0.48	$ 0.55	$ 0.54	$ 0.28	$ 1.73	$ 1.85	$ 1.38
Alcan Packaging Food Americas
Net sales
Net sales, pro forma										5,030,956
Net sales, as reported										4,835,042
Net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc.
Net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc., pro forma										211,947
Net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc., as reported										$ 205,111
Diluted earnings per share:
Diluted earnings per share, pro forma (in dollars per share)										$ 1.91
Diluted earnings per share, as reported (in dollars per share)										$ 1.85