Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2011		Sep. 25, 2011		Jun. 26, 2011		Mar. 27, 2011		Dec. 26, 2010		Sep. 26, 2010		Jun. 27, 2010		Mar. 28, 2010		Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010	Dec. 27, 2009
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic (loss) earnings from continuing operations attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. available to common stockholders	$ (13,414)	[1]	$ (47,593)	[2]	$ 10,174	[3]	$ (8,222)	[4]	$ 7,707	[5]	$ 8,639	[6]	$ 8,954	[7]	$ 3,203	[8]	$ (59,055)	$ 28,503	$ 25,023
Diluted (loss) earnings from continuing operations attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. available to common stockholders																	$ (59,055)	$ 28,503	$ 25,023
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding																	40,070	39,483	38,909
Shares issuable under deferred compensation agreements																	462	452	396
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding																	40,532	39,935	39,305
Common shares assumed upon exercise of stock options and awards																		505	234
Shares issuable under deferred compensation arrangements																		5	13
Dilutive weighted average number of common shares outstanding																	40,532	40,445	39,552
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations	$ (0.33)		$ (1.17)		$ 0.25		$ (0.21)		$ 0.19		$ 0.22		$ 0.22		$ 0.08		$ (1.46)	$ 0.71	$ 0.63
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax																	$ (0.18)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)
Basic (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share	$ (0.47)		$ (1.20)		$ 0.24		$ (0.22)		$ 0.19		$ 0.21		$ 0.22		$ 0.08		$ (1.64)	$ 0.69	$ 0.61
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations	$ (0.33)		$ (1.17)		$ 0.25		$ (0.21)		$ 0.19		$ 0.22		$ 0.22		$ 0.08		$ (1.46)	$ 0.71	$ 0.63
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax																	$ (0.18)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)
Diluted (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share	$ (0.47)		$ (1.20)		$ 0.24		$ (0.22)		$ 0.19		$ 0.21		$ 0.22		$ 0.08		$ (1.64)	$ 0.69	$ 0.61

[1] Includes a $7.0 million restructuring charge (net of tax), a $1.0 million change in indefinite reversal assertion, a $0.9 million litigation settlement (net of tax), a $0.6 million income related to improper and fraudulent Canadian activities (net of tax), a $0.4 million intangible impairment (net of tax), a $0.3 million reduction in valuation allowance, and a $0.1 million in acquisition costs (net of tax).

[2] Includes a $48.0 million valuation allowance adjustment, a $16.6 million restructuring charge (net of tax), a $0.2 million expense related to improper and fraudulent Canadian activities (net of tax), and $2 thousand in acquisition costs (net of tax).

[3] Includes $2.0 million in acquisition costs (net of tax), a $1.1 million restructuring charge (net of tax), and a $38 thousand expense related to improper and fraudulent Canadian activities (net of tax).

[4] Includes a $1.1 million restructuring charge (net of tax) and a $0.2 million expense related to improper and fraudulent Canadian activities (net of tax).

[5] Includes a $4.2 million restructuring charge (net of tax). Also includes a $1.7 million tax charge, a $0.8 million selling, general and administrative charge (net of tax) related to adjustments to acquisition related liabilities pertaining to the period prior to the acquisition date, and a $0.2 million expense related to improper and fraudulent Canadian activities (net of tax).

[6] Includes a $4.3 million valuation allowance adjustment, a $0.6 million restructuring charge (net of tax), and a $0.2 million expense related to improper and fraudulent Canadian activities (net of tax).

[7] Includes a $0.9 million restructuring charge (net of tax) and a $0.4 million expense related to improper and fraudulent Canadian activities (net of tax).

[8] Includes a $0.5 million restructuring charge (net of tax) and a $0.4 million expense related to improper and fraudulent Canadian activities (net of tax).