Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Feb. 28, 2011 American Plast S.A.	Mar. 31, 2010 American Plast S.A.	Jun. 30, 2011 American Plast S.A.	Jun. 30, 2010 American Plast S.A.	Jan. 31, 2010 Insit Embalagens Ltda.	Jun. 30, 2010 Insit Embalagens Ltda.
Noncontrolling Interests
Remaining ownership interest acquired (as a percent)					0.83%				10.00%
Additional ownership interest acquired (as a percent)						38.60%
Consideration to acquire additional interest in subsidiaries			$ 380	$ 15,879	$ 400	$ 13,600			$ 2,300
Net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc.	54,252	59,639	105,462	90,422
Transfers to noncontrolling interests:
Decrease in Bemis Company, Inc.'s capital in excess of par value due to purchase of noncontrolling interest			(170)	(8,007)			(170)	(6,016)		(1,991)
Change from net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc. and transfers to noncontrolling interests			$ 105,292	$ 82,415