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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CtUkBJvC9td4E4ZK9plQ/6cNm3MDPGt/yflvMpV9PUjIsETeWH9BwedTmNyxnjKe
 8WPomumsatFr3THP3TBQ1w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001312894-08-000001.txt : 20080122
<SEC-HEADER>0001312894-08-000001.hdr.sgml : 20080121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080122141112
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001312894-08-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080117
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080122
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080122

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			POLYMER GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000927417
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BROADWOVEN FABRIC MILS, MAN MADE FIBER & SILK [2221]
		IRS NUMBER:				571003983
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9335 HARRIS CORNERS PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 300
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28269
		BUSINESS PHONE:		704-697-5100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9335 HARRIS CORNERS PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 300
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28269

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HEWITT WILLIAM B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001223344

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14330
		FILM NUMBER:		08541269

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(704) 697-5100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9335 HARRIS CORNERS PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 300
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28269
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-01-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000927417</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>POLYMER GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>POLGA.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001223344</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HEWITT WILLIAM B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9335 HARRIS CORNERS PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHARLOTTE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>28269</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-01-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>508</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9780</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-01-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>969</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10749</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The shares of restricted stock were granted to the reporting person under the terms of the Polymer Group, Inc. 2004 Restricted Stock Plan on 1/17/2008 pursuant to Rule 16b-3.  Of these 508 shares, 254 of such shares will vest on 7/17/2008 and the remaining 254 of such shares will vest on 7/17/2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The shares of restricted stock were granted to the reporting person on 1/17/2008 pursuant to Rule 16b-3.  These shares vest immediately and were granted to the reporting person under the terms of the Polymer Group Inc. 2004 Restricted Stock Plan in lieu of the cash to which the reporting person is otherwise entitled for quarterly directors' fees.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Daniel L. Rikard, attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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