Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic (loss) earnings from continuing operations attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. available to common stockholders	$ (92,851)	$ 10,174	$ (103,522)	$ 1,952
Diluted (loss) earnings from continuing operations attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. available to common stockholders	$ (92,851)	$ 10,174	$ (103,522)	$ 1,952
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	40,441	40,084	40,363	39,990
Shares issuable under deferred compensation agreements	532	458	530	447
Basic weighted- average number of common shares outstanding	40,973	40,542	40,893	40,437
Common shares assumed upon exercise of stock options and awards	0	360	0	461
Shares issuable under deferred compensation arrangements	0	12	0	5
Dilutive weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	40,973	40,914	40,893	40,903
Basic (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share:
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (2.27)	$ 0.25	$ (2.53)	$ 0.05
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.02)
Basic (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share	$ (2.3)	$ 0.24	$ (2.57)	$ 0.03
Diluted (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share:
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (2.27)	$ 0.25	$ (2.53)	$ 0.05
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.02)
Diluted (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share	$ (2.3)	$ 0.24	$ (2.57)	$ 0.03