Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 22, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Public Float			$ 570.7
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	VCI
Entity Registrant Name	VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000883293
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		39,145,075
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes