Amount of difference between fair value and book value.

No definition available.

Name:	rrd_AmountOfDifferenceBetweenFairValueAndBookValue
Namespace Prefix:	rrd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Restrictions on the entity's ability to pay dividends as required by the terms of the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rrd_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumAnnualDividendPaymentRestrictions
Namespace Prefix:	rrd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the increase (decrease) in fair value of the hedged item in a fair value hedge recognized in the income statement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 25
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of the original debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12355-112629

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of cash paid for interest during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4297-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of the interest rate for the amounts borrowed under the credit facility, including the terms and the method for determining the interest rate (for example, fixed or variable, LIBOR plus a percentage, increasing rate, timing of interest rate resets, remarketing provisions).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDescription
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effective interest rate during the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=rrd_ThirdPartyPurchaseNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=rrd_CompanyPurchaseNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_SpinoffMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=rrd_DonnelleyFinancialSolutionsIncorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=rrd_LSCCommunicationsIncorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_SeniorNotesFivePointFiveZeroPercentDueMayFifteenTwoThousandFifteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_SeniorNotesEightPointSixZeroPercentDueAugustFifteenTwoThousandSixteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_SeniorNotesFourPointNineFivePercentDueAprilOneTwoThousandFourteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_SeniorNotesSixPointZeroZeroPercentDueAprilOneTwoThousandTwentyFourMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_SeniorNotesEightPointTwoFivePercentDueMarchFifteenTwoThousandNineteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_SeniorNotesSevenPointTwoFivePercentDueMayFifteenTwoThousandEighteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_SeniorNotesSevenPointSixTwoFivePercentDueJuneFifteenTwoThousandTwentyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_DebtInstrumentsExtinguishedThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_SeniorSecuredTermLoanBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_SeniorNotesSixPointOneTwoFivePercentDueJanuaryFifteenTwoThousandSeventeenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_SeniorNotesSevenPointZeroZeroPercentDueFebruaryFifteenthTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rrd_SeniorNotesEightPointTwoFivePercentDueTwoThousandTwentyFourMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=rrd_CancellationOfThirdPartyPurchaseNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=rrd_AmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=rrd_CreditAgreementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=rrd_ForeignFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=rrd_OtherFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=rrd_CombinedFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($)									1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Debt - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 02, 2016	Oct. 06, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Mar. 20, 2014	Mar. 13, 2012	Apr. 09, 2010	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 16, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of difference between fair value and book value	$ 4,300,000									$ 4,300,000	$ 4,300,000	$ (39,700,000)
Losses on extinguishment of debt in conjunction with spinoff transactions										10,800,000	$ 96,100,000		$ 77,100,000
Weighted average interest rate on borrowings											2.50%	2.00%
Repayment of debt											$ 1,013,200,000	$ 272,700,000	811,500,000
Outstanding letters of credit	77,800,000									77,800,000	77,800,000
Borrowings under the credit facility	$ 185,000,000			$ 0						$ 185,000,000	185,000,000
Interest paid, net of interest received											$ 272,700,000	272,500,000	275,200,000
Third Party Purchase Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of notes purchased														$ 274,400,000
Company Purchase Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of notes purchased				503,600,000
Spin-off \| Senior Notes \| Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, aggregate principal amount				300,000,000
Spin-off \| Senior Notes \| LSC Communications, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, aggregate principal amount				450,000,000
5.50% Senior Notes Due May 15, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date											May 15, 2015
Repayment of debt											$ 200,000,000
Interest rate	5.50%									5.50%	5.50%
8.60% Senior Notes Due August 15, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date											Aug. 15, 2016
Repayment of debt											$ 219,800,000
Interest rate	8.60%									8.60%	8.60%
Senior notes												219,600,000
4.95% Senior Notes Due April 1, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date								Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014		Apr. 01, 2014
Repayment of debt									$ 341,800,000		$ 258,200,000
Interest rate	4.95%							4.95%	4.95%	4.95%	4.95%
6.00% Senior Notes Due April 1, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date											Apr. 01, 2024
Interest rate	6.00%									6.00%	6.00%
Senior notes	$ 400,000,000					$ 400,000,000				$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000	400,000,000
8.25% Senior Notes Due March 15, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date					Mar. 15, 2019	Mar. 15, 2019	Mar. 15, 2019				Mar. 15, 2019
Repayment of debt						$ 211,100,000							211,100,000
Interest rate	8.25%				8.25%	8.25%	8.25%			8.25%	8.25%
Senior notes							$ 450,000,000
Redemption of outstanding principal amount			$ 21,300,000
7.25% Senior Notes Due May 15, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date					May 15, 2018	May 15, 2018
Repayment of debt						$ 100,000,000
Interest rate					7.25%	7.25%
Redemption of outstanding principal amount			$ 45,800,000
7.625% Senior Notes Due June 15, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date						Jun. 15, 2020					Jun. 15, 2020
Repayment of debt						$ 50,000,000
Interest rate	7.625%					7.625%				7.625%	7.625%
Senior notes	$ 350,000,000									$ 350,000,000	$ 350,000,000	350,000,000
Debt Instruments Extinguished Three
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Losses on extinguishment of debt in conjunction with spinoff transactions													77,100,000
Gain due to termination of related interest rate swaps													$ 2,800,000
Senior Secured Term Loan B \| Spin-off \| Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, aggregate principal amount				350,000,000
Senior Secured Term Loan B \| Spin-off \| LSC Communications, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, aggregate principal amount				375,000,000
6.125% Senior Notes Due January 15, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date					Jan. 15, 2017
Interest rate					6.125%
Redemption of outstanding principal amount		$ 155,200,000
7.00% Senior Notes Due February 15, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date					Feb. 15, 2022						Feb. 15, 2022
Interest rate	7.00%				7.00%					7.00%	7.00%
Senior notes	$ 140,000,000									$ 140,000,000	$ 140,000,000	140,000,000
8.250% Senior Notes Due 2024 \| Third Party Purchase Notes \| Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, aggregate principal amount				300,000,000
8.250% Senior Notes Due 2024 \| Cancellation of Third Party Purchase Notes \| Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Losses on extinguishment of debt in conjunction with spinoff transactions	85,300,000
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility agreement amount				$ 800,000,000
Interest rate description											Interest rates on borrowings are equal to, at the Company’s option, a base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.125% to 1.50%, or LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.125% to 2.50%, in either case based upon the leverage ratio of RR Donnelley.
Losses on extinguishment of debt in conjunction with spinoff transactions											$ 1,400,000
Maturity date											Sep. 30, 2021
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Facility fee				0.375%
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Facility fee				0.50%
Credit Agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable annual dividend payment under credit agreement	60,000,000									60,000,000	$ 60,000,000
Outstanding letters of credit	57,700,000									57,700,000	57,700,000
Foreign Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility agreement amount	140,400,000									140,400,000	140,400,000
Other Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit	67,800,000									67,800,000	67,800,000
Combined Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under the credit facility	$ 192,500,000									$ 192,500,000	$ 192,500,000	$ 11,200,000
Base Rate \| Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin on borrowings				1.125%
Base Rate \| Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin on borrowings				1.50%
LIBOR \| Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin on borrowings				2.125%
LIBOR \| Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin on borrowings				2.50%