Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) earnings	$ (26,215)	$ 10,953	$ (18,927)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Pension liability adjustments, net of tax expense (benefit) of $123, ($290), and $996	16,804	(17,263)	1,658
Other postretirement benefit adjustments, net of tax expense of $0, $0, and $0	(1,014)	0	0
Change in realized and unrealized losses on derivative hedges, net of tax expense of $0, $0, and $139	(125)	0	(21)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(21,208)	(19,666)	129
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(5,543)	(36,929)	1,766
Comprehensive loss	(31,758)	(25,976)	(17,161)
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0	(172)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc.	$ (31,758)	$ (25,976)	$ (16,989)