Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended	84 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012		Mar. 27, 2011	Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 25, 2011
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 162,297		$ 181,886
Cost of revenues	105,940		111,801
Gross profit	56,357		70,085
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	68,975		72,297
Research and development	4,546		4,789
Restructuring expenses	1,718		1,597
Acquisition costs	14		186
Other expense	745		247		4,100
Operating loss	(19,641)		(9,031)
Interest income	500		966
Interest expense	1,935		1,642
Other gain (loss), net	(150)		110
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(21,226)		(9,597)
Income taxes benefit	(10,276)		(1,375)
Net loss from continuing operations	(10,950)		(8,222)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $0 and $254	(320)	[1]	(473)
Net loss	(11,270)		(8,695)	(66,626)
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(279)
Net loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc.	$ (10,991)		$ (8,695)
Basic loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.26)		$ (0.21)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (0.01)		$ (0.01)
Basic loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share	$ (0.27)		$ (0.22)
Diluted loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.26)		$ (0.21)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (0.01)		$ (0.01)
Diluted loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share	$ (0.27)		$ (0.22)

[1] As this business is located in the U.S. and a full valuation allowance is recorded in the U.S., there is no tax impact on the loss from discontinued operations.