NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, 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
Noncontrolling interests
Purchase of remaining shares owned by the noncontrolling interest of subsidiary								$ 15,900	$ 89,713	$ 15,879
Net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc.	22,800	55,900	54,200	51,200	53,300	61,400	59,600	30,800	184,081	205,111	147,221
Transfers to noncontrolling interests:
Decrease in Bemis Company, Inc.'s capital in excess of par value due to purchase of noncontrolling interest									(48,285)	(8,007)
Change from net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc. and transfers to noncontrolling interests									135,796	197,104
Dixie Toga
Noncontrolling interests
Purchase of remaining shares owned by the noncontrolling interest of subsidiary		90,000
Transfers to noncontrolling interests:
Decrease in Bemis Company, Inc.'s capital in excess of par value due to purchase of noncontrolling interest									(48,115)
American Plast S.A.
Noncontrolling interests
Purchase of remaining shares owned by the noncontrolling interest of subsidiary								14,000
Transfers to noncontrolling interests:
Decrease in Bemis Company, Inc.'s capital in excess of par value due to purchase of noncontrolling interest									(170)	(6,016)
Insit Embalagens Ltda.
Noncontrolling interests
Purchase of remaining shares owned by the noncontrolling interest of subsidiary								2,000
Transfers to noncontrolling interests:
Decrease in Bemis Company, Inc.'s capital in excess of par value due to purchase of noncontrolling interest										$ (1,991)