Multiemployer Pension Plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended											12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Abstract]
Number of locations	8											8
Multiemployer pension withdrawal expense (income)	$ 31,683	[1]	$ (203)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	[2]	$ 0	[3]	$ 1,846	$ 0	$ (31,480)	$ (1,846)	$ 200
Total payments	41,186											41,186
Annual payment												2,059
Payment term												20 years
Risk free rate												2.54%
Multiemployer pension withdrawal liability	0					1,846						0	1,846
Multiemployer pension withdrawal expense (income)														(200)
Multiemployer pension withdrawal liability during period												(203)
Recorded a liability, net of discount																7,254
Additional expense recorded due to assumption updates															1,800
Withdrawal settlement amount	1,643											1,643		9,000
Maximum funded percentage of plans in red zone (in hundredths)												65.00%
Maximum funded percentage of plans in yellow zone (in hundredths)												80.00%
Minimum funded percentage of plans in green zone (in hundredths)												80.00%
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Contributions of Schawk:														(200)
Expiration Dates of Collective Bargaining Agreements												Jun. 30, 2015
Company's contributions (in hundredths)	5.00%											5.00%
Graphic Communications Conference International Brotherhood of Teamsters National Pension Fund [Member]
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Abstract]
Multiemployer pension withdrawal expense (income)												686	844	907
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Country												United States of America
EIN/Pension Plan Number												52-6118568-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status:												Red	Red
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented												Yes
Contributions of Schawk:												686	844	907
Surcharge Imposed												No
Expiration Dates of Collective Bargaining Agreements												Dec. 31, 2012
CEP Multi-Employer Pension Plan [Member]
Multiemployer Pension Plans [Abstract]
Multiemployer pension withdrawal expense (income)												85	85	82
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Country												Canada
EIN/Pension Plan Number												RN 0542696
Pension Protection Act Zone Status:												At least 80% funded	At least 80% funded
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented												-
Contributions of Schawk:												$ 85	$ 85	$ 82
Surcharge Imposed												No
Expiration Dates of Collective Bargaining Agreements												May 01, 2014

[1] Results for the fourth quarter of 2012 were unfavorably impacted by the Company's decision to withdraw from the Graphic Communications Conference International Brotherhood of Teamsters National Pension Fund. An estimated withdrawal liability of $31,683 was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012.

[2] Results for the fourth quarter of 2011 were favorably impacted by a decrease in the effective tax rate for the quarter. The decrease in the effective tax rate was principally due to discrete period tax benefits related to the release of certain valuation allowances in the amount of $2,124, primarily for the Company's Australian subsidiary. In addition, the fourth quarter of 2011 operating results were favorably impacted by the reduction of an estimated contingent consideration liability in the amount of $3,320, related to a 2010 acquisition, and $825 related to the reduction of an employment tax reserve for a 2008 acquisition.

[3] Results for the third quarter of 2011 were favorably impacted by a decrease in the effective tax rate for the quarter. The decrease in the effective tax rate was principally due to discrete period tax benefits related to the release of certain valuation allowances in the amount of $4,008, primarily for the Company's United Kingdom subsidiary.