Business segment information (revenue by product and service) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Revenue by product and service category
Total revenue	$ 417,758	$ 398,080	$ 381,433	$ 387,553	$ 387,584	$ 378,338	$ 371,014	$ 377,981	$ 1,584,824		$ 1,514,917		$ 1,417,596
Service revenue									215,113		168,988		137,176
Checks, including contract settlements
Revenue by product and service category
Total revenue									884,605		890,018		871,731
Marketing solutions, including services
Revenue by product and service category
Total revenue									248,401	[1]	205,683	[1]	150,973	[1]
Service revenue									120,508		89,151		65,138
Forms
Revenue by product and service category
Total revenue									200,560		200,379		195,905
Accessories and other products
Revenue by product and service category
Total revenue									156,653		139,000		126,949
Other services
Revenue by product and service category
Total revenue									$ 94,605		$ 79,837		$ 72,038

[1] Includes service revenue of $120,508 in 2013, $89,151 in 2012 and $65,138 in 2011.