Earnings Per Share Computations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Numerator
Net income attributable to Bemis Company, Inc.	$ 55,859	$ 61,419	$ 161,321	$ 151,841
Income allocated to participating securities (in dollars)	(829)	(1,073)	(2,387)	(2,756)
Net income available to common shareholders (in dollars)	$ 55,030	$ 60,346	$ 158,934	$ 149,085
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	103,286,000	108,617,000	105,185,000	108,903,000
Dilutive shares (in shares)	477,000	74,000	413,000	104,000
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	103,763,000	108,691,000	105,598,000	109,007,000
Per common share income
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.53	$ 0.55	$ 1.51	$ 1.37
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.53	$ 0.55	$ 1.51	$ 1.37
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	103,286,000	108,617,000	105,185,000	108,903,000
Basic weighted average common shares, outstanding and participating securities (in shares)	104,842,000	110,548,000	106,765,000	110,916,000
Percentage allocated to common shareholders (as a percent)	98.50%	98.30%	98.50%	98.20%
Antidilutive stock options and stock awards (in shares)	69,612	1,241,773