Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 26, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010	Jun. 26, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. available to common stockholders	$ 9,520	$ 9,040	$ 209	$ 12,546
Diluted earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. available to common stockholders	$ 9,520	$ 9,040	$ 209	$ 12,546
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	40,084	39,476	39,990	39,330
Shares issuable under deferred compensation agreements	458	469	447	436
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	40,542	39,945	40,437	39,766
Common shares assumed upon exercise of stock options and awards	360	552	461	526
Shares issuable under deferred compensation arrangements	12	13	5	9
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	40,914	40,510	40,903	40,301
Basic earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share	$ 0.23	$ 0.23	$ 0.01	$ 0.32
Diluted earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share	$ 0.23	$ 0.22	$ 0.01	$ 0.31

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