Borrowings (Debt Schedule) (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2012 Notes Payable USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Notes Payable USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Promissory Note USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Promissory Note USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Libbey Glass and Libbey Europe ABL Facility Line of Credit USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Libbey Glass and Libbey Europe ABL Facility Line of Credit USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Libbey Glass New Senior Secured Notes Senior Notes USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2011 Libbey Glass New Senior Secured Notes Senior Notes USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Libbey Glass Old Senior Secured Notes Senior Notes USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2012 Libbey Glass Old Senior Secured Notes Senior Notes		Dec. 31, 2011 Libbey Glass Old Senior Secured Notes Senior Notes USD ($)	Feb. 08, 2010 Libbey Glass Old Senior Secured Notes Senior Notes USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Libbey China RMB Loan Contract Construction Loans USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Libbey China RMB Loan Contract Construction Loans CNY	Dec. 31, 2011 Libbey China RMB Loan Contract Construction Loans USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Libbey China RMB Loan Contract Construction Loans CNY	Dec. 31, 2012 Libbey Portugal BES Euro Line Line of Credit USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Libbey Portugal BES Euro Line Line of Credit EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2011 Libbey Portugal BES Euro Line Line of Credit USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Libbey Portugal AICEP Loan Loans Payable USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Libbey Portugal AICEP Loan Loans Payable USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate							6.00%				6.875%	[1]			10.00%	[1]										0.00%
Total borrowings	$ 466,059		$ 397,617		$ 0	$ 339	$ 903	$ 1,111	$ 0	$ 0	$ 450,000		$ 0	$ 0			$ 360,000		$ 9,522	60,000	$ 28,332	180,000	$ 4,362	€ 3,300	$ 7,835	$ 1,272	$ 0
Less — unamortized discount	0		4,300															7,700
Plus — carrying value adjustment on debt related to the Interest Rate Agreement (1)	408	[1]	4,043	[1]
Total borrowings — net	466,467		397,360
Less — long term debt due within one year	4,583		4,192
Total long-term portion of borrowings — net	$ 461,884		$ 393,168

[1] See Interest Rate Agreements under “Senior Secured Notes” below and in note 13.