EARNINGS PER SHARE COMPUTATIONS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except 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
Numerator
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
Income allocated to participating securities (in dollars)									(2,689)	(3,691)	(4,583)
Net income available to common shareholders (in dollars)									$ 181,392	$ 201,420	$ 142,638
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic									104,629,000	108,662,000	103,447,000
Dilutive shares									443,000	88,000	154,000
Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding - diluted									105,072,000	108,750,000	103,601,000
Per common share income
Basic (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
Diluted (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
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic									104,629,000	108,662,000	103,447,000
Basic weighted-average common shares, outstanding and participating securities									106,180,000	110,653,000	106,771,000
Percentage allocated to common shareholders									98.50%	98.20%	96.90%
Antidilutive stock options and stock awards (in shares)										1,244,773