Quarterly Information (Quarterly Comparison of Financial Statements as Previously Filed - Statement of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			84 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Sep. 23, 2012	Jun. 24, 2012	Mar. 25, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 25, 2011
Net revenues	$ 194,387	$ 174,888	$ 172,290	$ 148,173	$ 200,497	$ 168,258	$ 177,762	$ 143,403	$ 320,463	$ 321,165	$ 495,351	$ 489,423	$ 689,738	$ 689,920	$ 758,400
Cost of revenues		104,356	102,399	94,907		100,103	107,603	90,932	197,306	198,535	301,662	298,638	420,647	420,084	450,508
Gross profit	75,402	70,532	69,891	53,266	79,051	68,155	70,159	52,471	123,157	122,630	193,689	190,785	269,091	269,836	307,892
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		51,392	57,215	55,525		56,480	65,221	65,260	112,740	130,481	164,132	186,961	218,807	248,107	280,136
Research and development		4,369	4,627	4,693		4,335	4,020	4,454	9,320	8,474	13,689	12,809	17,524	16,400	19,269
Restructuring expenses		937	1,629	2,016		4,112	21,266	1,718	3,645	22,984	4,582	27,096	10,866	28,438	28,640
Goodwill impairment						0	64,437			64,437		64,437	0	102,715	0
Litigation settlement			0	(6,584)				0	(6,584)		(6,584)		(6,584)	295	943
Acquisition costs		253	280	161		17	96	14	441	110	694	127	960	332	2,319
Other income				0				745					0	(3,907)	(179)	4,100
Other operating income			(248)	(330)		0	0	0	(578)	(745)	578	(745)	(578)	(2,043)	(1,827)
Operating income (loss)		13,581	6,388	(2,215)		3,211	(84,881)	(19,720)	4,173	(104,601)	17,754	(101,390)	23,276	(120,501)	(22,001)
Interest income		294	405	399		396	395	500	804	895	1,098	1,291	1,515	1,757	3,381
Interest expense, net		2,976	3,330	2,564		5,131	2,410	2,405	5,894	4,815	8,870	9,946	18,955	12,540	8,900
Other gain (loss), net		(1,002)	(1,966)	(545)		325	(146)	(150)	(2,511)	(296)	(3,513)	29	(3,936)	(1,731)	(1,523)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		9,897	1,497	(4,925)		(1,199)	(87,042)	(21,775)	(3,428)	(108,817)	6,469	(110,016)	1,900	(133,015)	(29,043)
Income taxes expense		2,665	600	0		3,505	5,950	(10,755)	600	(4,805)	3,265	(1,300)	3,671	6,005	53,353
Net loss from continuing operations	(4,975)	7,232	897	(4,925)	(30,304)	(4,704)	(92,992)	(11,020)	(4,028)	(104,012)	3,204	(108,716)	(1,771)	(139,020)	(82,396)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (benefit) expense of ($68), $247, and ($378)		(100)	(14,329)	(2,556)		(1,105)	(2,357)	(368)	(16,885)	(2,725)	(16,985)	(3,830)	(17,156)	(7,959)	(1,165)
Net loss		7,132	(13,432)	(7,481)		(5,809)	(95,349)	(11,388)	(20,913)	(106,737)	(13,781)	(112,546)	(18,927)	(146,979)	(83,561)
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interests		0	59	(58)		(51)	(25)	(279)	1	(304)	1	(355)	1	(529)	(57)
Net loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc.	(5,146)	7,132	(13,491)	(7,423)	(34,259)	(5,758)	(95,324)	(11,109)	(20,914)	(106,433)	(13,782)	(112,191)	(18,928)	(146,450)	(83,504)
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.12)	$ 0.17	$ 0.02	$ (0.12)	$ (0.73)	$ (0.11)	$ (2.27)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.10)	$ (2.53)	$ 0.08	$ (2.65)	$ (0.05)	$ (3.37)	$ (2.03)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 0.00	$ (0.35)	$ (0.06)		$ (0.03)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.03)
Basic (US$ per share)	$ (0.12)	$ 0.17	$ (0.33)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.83)	$ (0.14)	$ (2.33)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.51)	$ (2.60)	$ (0.33)	$ (2.74)	$ (0.46)	$ (3.57)	$ (2.06)
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.12)	$ 0.17	$ 0.02	$ (0.12)	$ (0.73)	$ (0.11)	$ (2.27)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.10)	$ (2.53)	$ 0.08	$ (2.65)	$ (0.05)	$ (3.37)	$ (2.03)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 0.00	$ (0.34)	$ (0.06)		$ (0.03)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.03)
Diluted (US$ per share)	$ (0.12)	$ 0.17	$ (0.32)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.83)	$ (0.14)	$ (2.33)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.51)	$ (2.60)	$ (0.33)	$ (2.74)	$ (0.46)	$ (3.57)	$ (2.06)
As Previously Reported
Net revenues		174,466	172,018	148,835	200,178	168,813	177,604	144,194	320,853	321,798	495,319	490,611		690,789	763,749
Cost of revenues		104,210	102,399	94,894		100,153	107,080	91,173	197,293	198,253	301,503	298,406		419,947	451,459
Gross profit		70,256	69,619	53,941	78,637	68,660	70,524	53,021	123,560	123,545	193,816	192,205		270,842	312,290
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		50,980	56,850	55,287		56,881	65,220	65,603	112,137	130,823	163,117	187,704		249,089	279,791
Research and development		4,369	4,627	4,693		4,335	4,020	4,454	9,320	8,474	13,689	12,809		16,400	19,269
Restructuring expenses		937	1,629	2,016		4,112	21,266	1,718	3,645	22,984	4,582	27,096		28,422	28,640
Goodwill impairment						0	64,437			64,437		64,437		102,715
Litigation settlement		0	0	(6,584)				0	(6,584)		(6,584)			0	0
Acquisition costs		253	280	161		17	96	14	441	110	694	127		332	2,319
Other income				0				745						(3,907)	(179)
Other operating income		0	(248)	(330)		0	0	0	(578)	(745)	578	(745)		(2,043)	(19,262)
Operating income (loss)		13,717	6,481	(1,302)		3,315	(84,515)	(19,513)	5,179	(104,028)	18,896	(100,713)		(120,461)	177
Interest income		294	405	399		396	395	500	804	895	1,098	1,291		1,757	3,381
Interest expense, net		2,453	2,822	2,059		4,668	1,939	1,935	4,881	3,874	7,334	8,542		10,647	7,923
Other gain (loss), net		(1,002)	(1,966)	(545)		325	(146)	(150)	(2,511)	(296)	(3,513)	29		(1,731)	(1,523)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		10,556	2,098	(3,507)		(632)	(86,205)	(21,098)	(1,409)	(107,303)	9,147	(107,935)		(131,082)	(5,888)
Income taxes expense		2,832	784	279		3,648	5,624	(10,196)	1,063	(4,572)	3,895	(924)		7,364	59,573
Net loss from continuing operations		7,724	1,314	(3,786)	(31,435)	(4,280)	(91,829)	(10,902)	(2,472)	(102,731)	5,252	(107,011)		(138,446)	(65,461)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (benefit) expense of ($68), $247, and ($378)		(100)	(14,329)	(2,556)		(1,105)	(2,357)	(368)	(16,885)	(2,725)	(16,985)	(3,830)		(7,959)	(1,165)
Net loss		7,624	(13,015)	(6,342)		(5,385)	(94,186)	(11,270)	(19,357)	(105,456)	(11,733)	(110,841)		(146,405)	(66,626)
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interests		0	59	(58)		(51)	(25)	(279)	1	(304)	1	(355)		(529)	(57)
Net loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc.		7,624	(13,074)	(6,284)	(35,390)	(5,334)	(94,161)	(10,991)	(19,358)	(105,152)	(11,734)	(110,486)		(145,876)	(66,569)
Loss from continuing operations		$ 0.18	$ 0.03	$ (0.09)	$ (0.76)	$ (0.10)	$ (2.24)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.06)	$ (2.50)	$ 0.13	$ (2.61)		$ (3.36)	$ (1.61)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 0.00	$ (0.35)	$ (0.06)		$ (0.03)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.09)		$ (0.20)	$ (0.03)
Basic (US$ per share)		$ 0.18	$ (0.32)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.86)	$ (0.13)	$ (2.30)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.47)	$ (2.57)	$ (0.28)	$ (2.70)		$ (3.56)	$ (1.64)
Loss from continuing operations		$ 0.18	$ 0.03	$ (0.09)	$ (0.76)	$ (0.10)	$ (2.24)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.06)	$ (2.50)	$ 0.13	$ (2.61)		$ (3.36)	$ (1.61)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 0.00	$ (0.34)	$ (0.06)		$ (0.03)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.09)		$ (0.20)	$ (0.03)
Diluted (US$ per share)		$ 0.18	$ (0.31)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.86)	$ (0.13)	$ (2.30)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.47)	$ (2.57)	$ (0.28)	$ (2.70)		$ (3.56)	$ (1.64)
Restatement Adjustments
Net revenues		422	272	(662)		(555)	158	(791)	(390)	(633)	32	(1,188)		(869)	(5,349)
Cost of revenues		146	0	13		(50)	523	(241)	13	282	159	232		137	(951)
Gross profit		276	272	(675)		(505)	(365)	(550)	(403)	(915)	(127)	(1,420)		(1,006)	(4,398)
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		412	365	238		(401)	1	(343)	603	(342)	1,015	(743)		(982)	345
Research and development		0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0
Restructuring expenses		0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0		16	0
Goodwill impairment						0	0			0		0		0
Litigation settlement		0	0	0				0	0		0			0	0
Acquisition costs		0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0
Other income				0				0						0	0
Other operating income		0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0		0		0	17,435
Operating income (loss)		(136)	(93)	(913)		(104)	(366)	(207)	(1,006)	(573)	(1,142)	(677)		(40)	(22,178)
Interest income		0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0
Interest expense, net		523	508	505		463	471	470	1,013	941	1,536	1,404		1,893	977
Other gain (loss), net		0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		(659)	(601)	(1,418)		(567)	(837)	(677)	(2,019)	(1,514)	(2,678)	(2,081)		(1,933)	(23,155)
Income taxes expense		(167)	(184)	(279)		(143)	326	(559)	(463)	(233)	(630)	(376)		(1,359)	(6,220)
Net loss from continuing operations		(492)	(417)	(1,139)		(424)	(1,163)	(118)	(1,556)	(1,281)	(2,048)	(1,705)		(574)	(16,935)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (benefit) expense of ($68), $247, and ($378)		0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0
Net loss		(492)	(417)	(1,139)		(424)	(1,163)	(118)	(1,556)	(1,281)	(2,048)	(1,705)		(574)	(16,935)
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interests		0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0
Net loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc.		$ (492)	$ (417)	$ (1,139)		$ (424)	$ (1,163)	$ (118)	$ (1,556)	$ (1,281)	$ (2,048)	$ (1,705)		$ (574)	$ (16,935)
Loss from continuing operations		$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.04)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.42)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00		$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00		$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Basic (US$ per share)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.04)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.42)
Loss from continuing operations		$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.04)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.42)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00		$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00		$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Diluted (US$ per share)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.04)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.42)