Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations—As a worldwide marketing solutions partner dedicated to creating a better way, Quad uses its data-driven, integrated marketing platform to help clients reduce complexity, increase efficiency and enhance marketing spend effectiveness. Quad provides its clients with unmatched scale for client on-site services and expanded subject expertise in marketing strategy, creative solutions, media solutions and marketing management services. With a client-centric approach, that drives its expanded offering, combined with leading-edge technology and single-source simplicity, the Company believes it has the resources and knowledge to help a wide variety of clients in multiple vertical industries, including retail, publishing and healthcare.

The Company operates primarily in the commercial print portion of the printing industry as a printer of retail inserts, publications, catalogs, special interest publications, journals, direct mail, books, directories, in-store marketing and promotion, packaging, newspapers, custom print products, other commercial and specialty printed products and global paper procurement. The Company’s products and services for a variety of industries are sold primarily throughout North America, South America and Europe. In addition, the Company strategically sources packaging product manufacturing over multiple end markets in Central America and Asia.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned controlled subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The results of operations and accounts of businesses acquired are included in the consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition (see Note 3, “Acquisitions and Strategic Investments”).

Investments in entities where the Company has both the ability to exert significant influence but not control and an ownership interest of 50% or less but more than 20% are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Investments in entities where the Company does not exert significant influence or control and has an ownership interest of less than 20% are accounted for using the cost method of accounting.

Foreign Operations

Foreign Operations—Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into United States dollars at the exchange rate existing at the respective balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at the average rates during the respective periods. Translation adjustments resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity, while transaction gains and losses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires the use of management’s estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for items and matters including, but not limited to: allowances for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, asset valuations and useful lives, pension and postretirement benefits, self-insurance reserves, stock-based compensation, taxes, restructuring and other provisions and contingencies.

Revenue Recognition and Byproduct Recoveries

Revenue Recognition—The Company recognizes its products and services revenue based on when the transfer of control passes to the customer or when the service is completed and accepted by the customer. Under agreements with certain customers, products may be stored by the Company for future delivery. In these situations, the Company may receive warehouse management fees for the services it provides. Product returns are not significant because the products are customized; however, the Company accrues for the estimated amount of customer allowances at the time of sale based on historical experience and known trends.

Revenue from services is recognized as services are performed. Revenues related to the Company’s imaging operations, which include digital content management, photography, color services and page production, are recognized in accordance with the terms of the contract, typically upon completion of the performed service and acceptance by the customer. Revenues related to the Company’s logistics operations, which includes the delivery of printed material, are recognized upon completion of services.

Certain revenues earned by the Company require judgment to determine if revenue should be recorded gross as a principal or net of related costs as an agent. Billings for third-party shipping and handling costs, primarily in the Company’s logistics operations, and out-of-pocket expenses are recorded gross in net sales and cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Many of the Company’s operations process materials, primarily paper, that may be supplied directly by customers or may be purchased by the Company and sold to customers. No revenue is recognized for customer-supplied paper. Revenues for Company-supplied paper are recognized on a gross basis.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“Topic 606”), which provides revised guidance on recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The Company adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective approach and applied the guidance to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. This means that Topic 606 has been applied to the 2018 financial statements and disclosures going forward, but that prior period financial statements and disclosures reflect the revenue recognition standard of Topic 605, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. See Note 2, “Revenue Recognition,” for additional accounting policy and transition disclosures.

Byproduct Recoveries—The Company presents byproduct recoveries as a reduction of cost of sales–products in the consolidated statements of operations. Classification of byproduct recoveries as a reduction of cost of sales aligns the proceeds from byproduct recoveries with the corresponding manufacturing costs.

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments—The Company uses derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging interest rate, commodity and foreign exchange exposures that exist as part of ongoing business operations, including interest rate swap agreements, natural gas forward purchase contracts and foreign exchange contracts. As a policy, the Company does not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor does the Company hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

Derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities measured at their fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in the consolidated statements of operations when the hedged item affects earnings.

The ineffective portions of the changes in the fair value of hedges are insignificant and recognized in earnings. Cash flows from derivatives that are accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges are included in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the same category as the item being hedged.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement—The Company applies fair value accounting for all assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in its consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value represents the amount that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities that are required to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market and the market-based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Research and Development

Research and Development—Research and development costs related to the development of new products or the adaptation of existing products are expensed as incurred, included in cost of sales and totaled $3.6 million, $9.0 million and $9.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash—The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Receivables

Receivables—Receivables are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts. No single customer comprised more than 5% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2018, 2017 or 2016, or 5% of the Company’s consolidated receivables as of December 31, 2018 or 2017. Specific customer provisions are made when a review of significant outstanding amounts, utilizing information about customer creditworthiness and current economic trends, indicates that collection is doubtful. In addition, provisions are made at differing rates, based upon the age of the receivable and the Company’s historical collection experience. Accounts that are deemed uncollectible are written off when all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted.

Inventories

Inventories—Inventories include material, labor, and plant overhead and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, all inventories were valued using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment—Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, and are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. See Note 8, “Property, Plant and Equipment,” for the components of the Company’s property, plant and equipment. Major improvements that extend the useful lives of existing assets are capitalized and charged to the asset accounts. Repairs and maintenance, which do not significantly improve or extend the useful lives of the respective assets, are expensed as incurred. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective asset. When an asset is retired or disposed, the associated costs and accumulated depreciation are eliminated, and the resulting gain or loss is recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.



Asset Category		Range of Useful Lives
Buildings		10 to 40 Years
Machinery and equipment		3 to 15 Years
Other		3 to 10 Years

Other Intangible Assets

Other Intangible Assets—Identifiable intangible assets are recognized apart from goodwill and are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

Impairment of Long-Lived and Other Intangible Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived and Other Intangible Assets—The Company evaluates long-lived assets and other intangible assets (of which the most significant are property, plant and equipment and customer relationship intangible assets) whenever events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Determining whether impairment has occurred typically requires various estimates and assumptions, including determining which cash flows are directly related to the potentially impaired asset, the useful life over which cash flows will occur, their amount and the asset’s residual value, if any. In turn, assessing whether there is an impairment loss requires a determination of recoverability, which is generally estimated by the ability to recover the balance of the assets from expected future operating cash flows on an undiscounted basis. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on the difference in the fair value and carrying value of the asset.

Goodwill

Goodwill—When applicable, goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment as of October 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. In performing this analysis, the Company compares each reporting unit’s fair value to its carrying value. The fair value is estimated based on comparable company market valuations and/or expected future discounted cash flows to be generated by the reporting unit. If the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, an impairment loss would be charged to operations in the period identified.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes—The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of items reported in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the effective date of enactment.

The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent the Company believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. This determination is based upon all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and recent financial operations. If the Company determines that a deferred income tax asset will not be fully realized in the future, then a valuation allowance is established or increased to reflect the amount at which the asset will more likely than not be realized, which would increase the Company’s provision for income taxes. In a period after a valuation allowance has been established, if the Company determines the related deferred income tax assets will be realized in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, then an adjustment to reduce the related valuation allowance will be made, which would reduce the Company’s provision for income taxes.

The Company is regularly audited by foreign and domestic tax authorities. These audits occasionally result in proposed assessments where the ultimate resolution might result in the Company owing additional taxes, including in some cases, penalties and interest. The Company recognizes a tax position in its consolidated financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. This recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not of being recognized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

The determination of the Company’s worldwide tax provision and related tax assets and liabilities requires the use of significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of GAAP and the interpretation of complex tax laws. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the final tax outcome is uncertain. Where fair market value is required to measure a tax asset or liability for GAAP purposes, the Company periodically obtains independent, third party assistance to validate that such value is determined in conformity with Internal Revenue Service fair market value guidelines. While the Company believes it has the appropriate support for the positions taken, certain positions may be successfully challenged by taxing authorities. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with management’s expectations could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and operating results. The Company applies the provisions of the authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertain tax positions to determine the appropriate amount of tax benefits to be recognized with respect to uncertain tax positions. The determination of the Company’s worldwide tax provision includes the impact of any changes to the amount of tax benefits recognized with respect to uncertain tax positions.

Pension Plans

Pension Plans—The Company assumed certain frozen underfunded defined benefit pension plans as part of the 2010 World Color Press acquisition. Pension plan costs are determined using actuarial methods and are funded through contributions. The Company records amounts relating to its pension plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions including discount rates, assumed rates of return, and mortality. The Company reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and modifies the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so. The effects of modifications are recognized immediately on the consolidated balance sheets, but are generally amortized into operating income over future periods, with the deferred amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience, market conditions and input from its actuaries and investment advisors. For the purposes of calculating the expected return on plan assets, those assets are valued at fair value. When an event gives rise to both a curtailment and a settlement, the curtailment is accounted for prior to the settlement. The Company’s measurement date to measure the defined benefit plan assets and the projected benefit obligation is December 31.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-07, which provides revised guidance on how to present the components of net pension income in the statement of operations. The Company has adopted ASU 2017-07 retrospectively and has utilized the practical expedient that permits the use of the amounts disclosed in previous filings for net pension income as the estimation basis for the presentation of the prior comparative periods. There are no service costs associated with the Company's pension plans due to their frozen status.

The Company has previously participated in MEPPs as a result of the acquisition of World Color Press. Due to the significant underfunded status of the MEPPs, the Company has withdrawn from all significant MEPPs and replaced these union sponsored “promise to pay in the future” defined benefit plans with a Company sponsored “pay as you go” defined contribution plan, which is historically the form of retirement benefit provided to Quad’s employees. As a result of the decision to withdraw, the Company recorded an estimated withdrawal liability for the MEPPs as part of the World Color Press purchase price allocation process based on information received from the MEPPs’ trustees. The estimated withdrawal liability is updated based on significant events, such as potential new information from the litigation proceedings with the MEPPs, until the final withdrawal liability is determined.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation—The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the vesting period for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors based on the fair value of the instrument at the time of grant.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists primarily of unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs for pension plans, foreign currency translation adjustments and interest rate swap adjustments, and is presented in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity.

Fair Value Measurement Policy

Certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, while other assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, generally as a result of acquisitions or impairment charges. Fair value is determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. GAAP also classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:


Level 1:	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


Level 2:	Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.


Level 3:	Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. There were no Level 3 recurring measurements of assets or liabilities as of December 31, 2018.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings per share attributable to Quad common shareholders is computed as net earnings attributable to Quad common shareholders, divided by the basic weighted average common shares outstanding. The calculation of diluted earnings per share attributable to Quad common shareholders includes the effect of any dilutive equity incentive instruments. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of outstanding dilutive equity incentive instruments, which requires the Company to compute total proceeds as the sum of the amount the employee must pay upon exercise of the award and the amount of unearned stock-based compensation costs attributed to future services.

Equity incentive instruments for which the total employee proceeds from exercise exceed the average fair value of the same equity incentive instrument over the period have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share during periods with net earnings, and accordingly, the Company excludes them from the calculation.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” (“ASU 2017-12”), which simplifies and reduces the complexity of the hedge accounting requirements and better aligns an entity's financial reporting for hedging relationships with its risk management activities. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. This new guidance will require a modified retrospective adoption approach to existing hedging relationships as of the adoption date. The Company has adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018, and the adoption of ASU 2017-12 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, which requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from net benefit cost and provides guidance on how to present the service costs and other components of net benefit costs in the statement of operations. Under the new standard, an entity must report the service cost component in the same line item as other compensation costs. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside the subtotal of operating income. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and requires a retrospective adoption approach for the classification of components of net periodic benefit cost in the statement of operations. The Company has adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018, applying a retrospective adoption approach and utilizing the practical expedient that permits the use of the amounts disclosed in previous filings for net pension income as the estimation basis for the presentation of the prior comparative periods. See Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for additional accounting policy and transition disclosures and Note 15, “Employee Retirement Plans,” for the components of net pension income.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-04 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”), which eliminates Step 2 as part of the goodwill impairment test. The amount of the impairment charge to be recognized would now be the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The loss to be recognized cannot exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendments in ASU 2017-04 are effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company elected to early adopt this standard and has applied this guidance to all goodwill impairment analyses performed after January 1, 2018.

In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash” (“ASU 2016-18”), which clarifies guidance on the classification and presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and requires a retrospective adoption approach. The Company has adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018, and as a result, the Company has condensed the line items “cash and cash equivalents” and “restricted cash” into one line on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has also made adjustments to the consolidated statements of cash flows, which included removing certain line items related to the transfer of restricted cash, and adjusting beginning and ending cash balances to reflect the newly condensed “cash and cash equivalents” line item within the consolidated balance sheets. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”), which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. Under the new guidance, entities will be required to measure expected credit losses for financial instruments, including trade receivables, based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable forecasts. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. This new guidance will require a modified retrospective transition approach, where the entity will need to apply a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings (accumulated deficit) as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”), which establishes a right-of-use model requiring a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition. The guidance also requires additional disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The FASB approved a proposal to allow a prospective transition approach, in which only the current year financial statements would need to be reported under the new accounting model. The Company elected that option and will present the current year financial statements in accordance with Topic 842, while prior year comparative periods will be presented under Topic 840.

The Company developed a comprehensive project plan and established a cross-functional implementation team to evaluate the impact of the standard. The project plan included evaluating the Company's lease portfolio, analyzing the standard’s impact on the Company’s various types of lease contracts and identifying the reporting requirements of the new standard. The Company completed the analysis and implementation of a system and performing data validation that will assist in meeting the standard’s reporting and disclosure requirements. The Company elected the available practical expedients and implemented changes to its processes and internal controls to enable the preparation of financial information upon adoption.

The Company has adopted the standard as of January 1, 2019, applying the modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, January 1, 2019. The Company is in the final stages of calculating the transition adjustment, which requires companies to record a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all operating leases valued at the present value of the remaining leases payments, discounted using the discount rate for the lease at the transition date. The impact of the transition adjustment is estimated to be $130.0 million to $140.0 million to the consolidated balance sheets, with no impact to the consolidated statements of operations.