PENSION PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 location	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
PENSION PLANS
Total multiemployer plan, defined contribution and defined benefit pension expense	$ 41,900,000	$ 44,800,000	$ 29,100,000
Defined Contribution pension plans
Number of manufacturing locations, employee covered under multiemployer plans	4
Amount contributed to defined benefit multiemployer plans	1,500,000	1,300,000	800,000
401(k) savings plan (a defined contribution plan)
Defined Contribution pension plans
Total contribution expense	8,800,000	8,200,000	6,600,000
Employer's matching contribution on each pre-tax dollar for the first two percent of participant's contribution	0.50
Employee contribution for the first two percent to the plan	1.00
First percentage of participant contributions eligible for employer contribution match towards defined contribution plan	2.00%
Employer's matching contribution on each pre-tax dollar for the next six percent of participant's contribution	0.25
Employee contribution for the next six percent to the plan	1
Next percentage of participant contributions eligible for employer contribution match towards defined contribution plan	6.00%
Service period after which employer contributions are fully vested (in years)	3
Bemis Investment Profit Sharing Plan (BIPSP) and Other Defined Contribution Plans
Defined Contribution pension plans
Total contribution expense	$ 11,800,000	$ 17,000,000	$ 9,500,000