Supplemental balance sheet and cash flow information (goodwill) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning of year	$ 1,288,825
Accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	(585,867)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	702,958
Goodwill resulting from acquisition (Note 6)	732,520
Currency translation adjustment	5
Goodwill, gross, end of period	2,021,350
Accumulated impairment charges, end of period	(585,867)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, end of period	1,435,483
Reportable business segments [Member] | Payments [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning of year	168,165
Accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	168,165
Goodwill resulting from acquisition (Note 6)	732,520
Goodwill, gross, end of period	900,685
Accumulated impairment charges, end of period	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, end of period	900,685
Reportable business segments [Member] | Cloud Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning of year	432,984
Accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	(392,168)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	40,816
Goodwill, gross, end of period	432,984
Accumulated impairment charges, end of period	(392,168)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, end of period	40,816
Reportable business segments [Member] | Promotional Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning of year	252,864
Accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	(193,699)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	59,165
Currency translation adjustment	5
Goodwill, gross, end of period	252,869
Accumulated impairment charges, end of period	(193,699)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, end of period	59,170
Reportable business segments [Member] | Checks [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning of year	434,812
Accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	434,812
Goodwill, gross, end of period	434,812
Accumulated impairment charges, end of period	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, end of period	$ 434,812