Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Nov. 01, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	DFIN
Entity Registrant Name	Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001669811
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		34,300,000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock (Par Value $0.01)
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity File Number	1-37728
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-4829638
Entity Address, Address Line One	35 West Wacker Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Chicago
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60601
City Area Code	844
Local Phone Number	866-4337
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false