Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended						6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011		Jul. 03, 2011 Consumer Packaging Segment [Member]	Jul. 03, 2011 Tubes and Cores, Paper Segment [Member]	Jul. 03, 2011 Packaging Services Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Packaging Services Segment [Member]	Jul. 03, 2011 All Other Sonoco [Member]	Jul. 03, 2011 Matrix Packaging [Member]	Jul. 03, 2011 Tubes and Cores, Paper-Europe [Member]	Jul. 03, 2011 Flexible Packaging [Member]	Jul. 03, 2011 Rigid Paper Containers, Australia [Member]
Changes in Goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 839,748	[1]	$ 389,384	$ 231,637	$ 150,082	$ 150,082	$ 68,645	$ 132,000	$ 110,000	$ 97,000	$ 6,000
Goodwill on acquisitions	4,553			4,553
Other	(2,943)		(2,846)	(97)
Foreign currency translation	15,757		5,349	10,259			149
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 857,115		$ 391,887	$ 246,352	$ 150,082	$ 150,082	$ 68,794	$ 132,000	$ 110,000	$ 97,000	$ 6,000

[1] The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.