Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended								3 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010	Sep. 26, 2009	Apr. 30, 2013 FastPencil	Sep. 24, 2011 REA	Sep. 28, 2013 Book Manufacturing	Sep. 29, 2012 Book Manufacturing	Sep. 24, 2011 Book Manufacturing	Sep. 26, 2009 Book Manufacturing	Apr. 30, 2013 Book Manufacturing FastPencil	Sep. 25, 2010 Publishing	Sep. 26, 2009 Publishing	Jun. 25, 2011 Publishing REA
Goodwill
Intangibles related to technology and customer lists						$ 2,770,000		$ 2,770,000
Impairment charge for prepublication costs relating to underperforming titles							200,000								200,000
Goodwill rollforward
Balance at the beginning of the period	15,988,000	16,025,000	24,697,000		57,391,000			15,988,000	16,025,000	16,289,000	16,289,000		8,408,000	41,102,000
Accumulated impairment charges				(32,694,000)									(32,694,000)
Acquisition of FastPencil	5,875,000					5,875,000						5,875,000
Impairment charge and other			(8,672,000)							(264,000)					(8,408,000)
Deferred tax adjustment	(43,000)	(37,000)						(43,000)	(37,000)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 21,820,000	$ 15,988,000	$ 16,025,000		$ 57,391,000			$ 21,820,000	$ 15,988,000	$ 16,025,000	$ 16,289,000		$ 8,408,000	$ 41,102,000