Quarterly Information (Quarterly Comparison of Financial Statements as Previously Filed - Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	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
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)
Amortization of pension plan actuarial income, net of tax expense of $449, $65, and $63	269	273	282	68	71	71	555	142	824	210	1,120	218	137
Change in realized and unrealized losses on derivative hedges, net of tax	132	4	(157)	(799)	590	(592)	(153)	(2)	(21)	(801)	(21)	(1,521)	1,165
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3,302	(996)	(2,599)	5,614	(10,062)	3,757	(3,595)	(6,305)	(293)	(691)	578	(187)	(4,622)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3,703	(719)	(2,474)	4,883	(9,401)	3,236	(3,193)	(6,165)	510	(1,282)	1,766	(13,913)	3,353
Comprehensive loss	10,835	(14,151)	(9,955)	(926)	(104,750)	(8,152)	(24,106)	(112,902)	(13,271)	(113,828)	(17,161)	(160,892)	(80,208)
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests	0	(53)	225	65	24	257	172	281	172	346	172	528	55
Comprehensive loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc.	10,835	(14,204)	(9,730)	(861)	(104,726)	(7,895)	(23,934)	(112,621)	(13,099)	(113,482)	(16,989)	(160,364)	(80,153)
As Previously Reported
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)
Amortization of pension plan actuarial income, net of tax expense of $449, $65, and $63	269	273	282	68	71	71	555	142	824	210		218	137
Change in realized and unrealized losses on derivative hedges, net of tax	132	4	(157)	(799)	590	(592)	(153)	(2)	(21)	(801)		(1,521)	1,165
Foreign currency translation adjustment	4,292	(638)	(3,341)	6,305	(11,200)	4,124	(3,979)	(7,076)	313	(771)		(534)	(3,542)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	4,693	(361)	(3,216)	5,574	(10,539)	3,603	(3,577)	(6,936)	1,116	(1,362)		(11,945)	2,273
Comprehensive loss	12,317	(13,376)	(9,558)	189	(104,725)	(7,667)	(22,934)	(112,392)	(10,617)	(112,203)		(158,350)	(64,353)
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests	0	(53)	225	65	24	257	172	281	172	346		528	55
Comprehensive loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc.	12,317	(13,429)	(9,333)	254	(104,701)	(7,410)	(22,762)	(112,111)	(10,445)	(111,857)		(157,822)	(64,298)
Restatement Adjustments
Net loss	(492)	(417)	(1,139)	(424)	(1,163)	(118)	(1,556)	(1,281)	(2,048)	(1,705)		(574)	(16,935)
Amortization of pension plan actuarial income, net of tax expense of $449, $65, and $63	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0
Change in realized and unrealized losses on derivative hedges, net of tax	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(990)	(358)	742	(691)	1,138	(367)	384	771	(606)	80		347	(1,080)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(990)	(358)	742	(691)	1,138	(367)	384	771	(606)	80		(1,968)	1,080
Comprehensive loss	(1,482)	(775)	(397)	(1,115)	(25)	(485)	(1,172)	(510)	(2,654)	(1,625)		(2,542)	(15,855)
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0
Comprehensive loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc.	$ (1,482)	$ (775)	$ (397)	$ (1,115)	$ (25)	$ (485)	$ (1,172)	$ (510)	$ (2,654)	$ (1,625)		$ (2,542)	$ (15,855)