Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 160,595	$ 174,888		$ 478,926	$ 495,351
Cost of revenues	89,630	104,356		273,168	301,662
Gross profit	70,965	70,532		205,758	193,689
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	55,480	51,392		165,195	164,132
Research and development	3,971	4,369		11,663	13,689
Restructuring expenses	459	937		2,692	4,582
Litigation settlement	0	0	(6,600)	0	(6,584)
Acquisition costs	291	253		291	694
Other operating income	0	0		0	(578)
Operating income	10,764	13,581		25,917	17,754
Interest income	323	294		875	1,098
Interest expense	1,062	2,976		3,517	8,870
Other gain (loss), net	10	(1,002)		(518)	(3,513)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	10,035	9,897		22,757	6,469
Income taxes expense	14,110	2,665		17,107	3,265
Net (loss) earnings from continuing operations	(4,075)	7,232		5,650	3,204
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (benefit) expense of $0, $0, $0 and $68	0	(100)		0	(16,985)
Net (loss) earnings	(4,075)	7,132		5,650	(13,781)	(18,927)
Less: income attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0		0	1
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc.	$ (4,075)	$ 7,132		$ 5,650	$ (13,782)
Basic (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share:
(Loss) Earnings from continuing operations (in US$ per share)	$ (0.10)	$ 0.17		$ 0.13	$ 0.08
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (in US$ per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00		$ 0.00	$ (0.41)
Basic (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share (in US$ per share)	$ (0.10)	$ 0.17		$ 0.13	$ (0.33)
Diluted (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share:
(Loss) Earnings from continuing operations (in US$ per share)	$ (0.10)	$ 0.17		$ 0.13	$ 0.08
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (in US$ per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00		$ 0.00	$ (0.41)
Diluted (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share (in US$ per share)	$ (0.10)	$ 0.17		$ 0.13	$ (0.33)