Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic (loss) earnings from continuing operations attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. available to common stockholders									$ (26,215)	$ 10,953	$ (1,772)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $0, $0, and ($68)									0	0	(17,156)
Diluted (loss) earnings from continuing operations attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. available to common stockholders									(26,215)	10,953	(1,772)
Diluted loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (benefit) expense of $0, $0, and ($68)									$ 0	$ 0	$ (17,156)
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding									41,881	41,683	41,128
Shares issuable under deferred compensation agreements									858	368	393
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding									42,739	42,051	41,521
Common shares assumed upon exercise of stock options and awards									0	312	0
Unvested shares issuable under deferred compensation arrangements									0	11	0
Dilutive weighted average number of common shares outstanding									42,739	42,374	41,521
Basic (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share:
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations (usd per share)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.06)	$ 0.13	$ (0.10)	$ 0.23	$ 0.00	$ (0.61)	$ 0.26	$ (0.05)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									0.00	0.00	(0.41)
Basic earnings (loss) attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share					0.13	(0.10)	0.23	0.00	(0.61)	0.26	(0.46)
Diluted (loss) earnings attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share:
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations (usd per share)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.06)	0.12	(0.10)	0.23	0.00	(0.61)	0.26	(0.05)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									0.00	0.00	(0.41)
Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Checkpoint Systems, Inc. per share					$ 0.12	$ (0.10)	$ 0.23	$ 0.00	$ (0.61)	$ 0.26	$ (0.46)
Discontinued operations, tax expense (benefit)									$ 0	$ 0	$ (68)
Discontinued operation, tax effect of discontinued operations, diluted									$ 0	$ 0	$ (68)