Significant Accounting Policies and General Matters	12 Months Ended
Feb. 29, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies and General Matters [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies and General Matters	(1) Significant Accounting Policies and General Matters Nature of Operations. Ennis, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company) are principally engaged in the production of and sale of business forms, other business products and apparel to customers primarily located in the United States. Basis of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company’s fiscal years ended on the following days: February 29, 2012, February 28, 2011 and February 28, 2010 (fiscal years ended 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively). Accounts Receivable. Trade receivables are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment generally within 30 days from the invoice date. The Company’s allowance for doubtful receivables reserve is based on an analysis that estimates the amount of its total customer receivable balance that is not collectible. This analysis includes assessing a default probability to customers’ receivable balances, which is influenced by several factors including (i) current market conditions, (ii) periodic review of customer credit worthiness, and (iii) review of customer receivable aging and payment trends. Inventories. With the exception of approximately one sixth of its print segment inventories, which are valued at the lower of last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost or market, the Company values its inventories at the lower of first in, first out (FIFO) cost or market. At fiscal years ended 2012 and 2011, approximately 3.12% and 4.15% of inventories, respectively, are valued at LIFO with the remainder of inventories valued at FIFO. The Company regularly reviews inventories on hand, using specific aging categories, and writes down the carrying value of its inventories for excess and potentially obsolete inventories based on historical usage and estimated future usage. In assessing the ultimate realization of its inventories, the Company is required to make judgments as to future demand requirements. As actual future demand or market conditions may vary from those projected by the Company, adjustments to inventories may be required. The Company provides reserves for excess and obsolete inventory when necessary based upon analysis of quantities on hand, recent sales volumes and reference to market prices. Reserves for excess and obsolete inventory at fiscal years ended 2012 and 2011 were $3.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Property, Plant and Equipment. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over a period considered adequate to amortize the total cost over the useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 11 years for plant, machinery and equipment and 10 to 40 years for buildings and improvements. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvements. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining life of the specific property unit. The Company capitalizes all leases that are in substance acquisitions of property. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price paid over the value of net assets of businesses acquired and is not amortized. Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise, using a fair-value-based test that compares the fair value of the related business unit to its carrying value. Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is based upon future discounted net cash flows. Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivables, accounts payable and long-term debt approximate fair value because of the short maturity and/or variable rates associated with these instruments. Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value. Refer to Note 8 for additional discussion of fair value measurements. Treasury Stock. The Company accounts for repurchases of common stock using the cost method with common stock in treasury classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a reduction of shareholders’ equity. Deferred Finance Charges. The Company accounts for deferred finance charges in connection with its revolving credit facility. The costs associated with the debt are amortized to interest expense over the term of the facility using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. If the facility is extinguished before the end of the term, the remaining balance of the deferred finance charges will be amortized fully in such year. Revenue Recognition. Revenue is generally recognized upon shipment of products. Net sales represent gross sales invoiced to customers, less certain related charges, including sales tax, discounts, returns and other allowances. Returns, discounts and other allowances have historically been insignificant. In some cases and upon customer request, the Company prints and stores custom print product for customer specified future delivery, generally within twelve months. In this case, risk of loss passes to the customer, the customer is invoiced under normal credit terms, and revenue is recognized when manufacturing is complete. Approximately $10.5 million, $10.5 million and $12.4 million of revenue was recognized under these arrangements during fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010 respectively. Advertising Expenses. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Catalog and brochure preparation and printing costs, which are considered direct response advertising, are amortized to expense over the life of the catalog, which typically ranges from three to twelve months. Advertising expense was approximately $1.0 million, $1.3 million, and $1.6 million, during the fiscal years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Included in advertising expense is amortization related to direct response advertising of approximately $436,000, $453,000, and $817,000 for the fiscal years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Unamortized direct advertising costs included in prepaid expenses at fiscal years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $155,000, $99,000, and $104,000, respectively. Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive securities had been issued, calculated using the treasury stock method. For fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010, there were 216,443, 93,700, and 98,950 of options, respectively, not included in the diluted earnings per share computation because their effect was anti-dilutive. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity resulting from transactions from non-owner sources. Other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following: adjustments resulting from the foreign currency translation of the Company’s Mexican and Canadian operations, changes in the fair value of interest rate swap and changes in the funded status of the Company’s pension plan. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposures to interest rate fluctuations on its floating debt agreements when the Company deems it prudent to do so. The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet, measure those instruments at fair value and recognize changes in the fair value of derivatives in earnings in the period of change, unless the derivative qualifies as an effective hedge that offsets certain exposures. Foreign Currency Translation. The functional currency for the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the applicable local currency. Assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The adjustments resulting from translating the financial statements of the foreign subsidiary are reflected in shareholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations in other income (expense), net as incurred. Transaction gains and losses totaled approximately $(81,000), $169,000, and $290,000 for fiscal years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Shipping and Handling Costs. The Company records amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling costs in net sales and related costs are included in cost of goods sold. Stock Based Compensation. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures (estimated at 4%) over the requisite service period of the individual grants, which generally equals the vesting period. The fair value of all share based awards is estimated on the date of grant. For a further discussion of the impact of stock based compensation on the consolidated financial statements, see Note 11, “Stock Option Plan and Stock Based Compensation.” Concentrations of Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk principally consist of cash and trade receivables. Cash is placed with high-credit quality financial institutions. The Company’s credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited in management’s opinion due to industry and geographic diversification. As disclosed on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, the Company maintains an allowance for doubtful receivables to cover estimated credit losses associated with accounts receivable. The Company, for quality and pricing reasons, purchases its paper, cotton and yarn products from a limited number of suppliers. To maintain its high standard of color control associated with its apparel products, the Company purchases its dyeing chemicals from limited sources. While other sources may be available to the Company to purchase these products, they may not be available at the cost or at the quality the Company has come to expect.

Significant Accounting Policies and General Matters

12 Months Ended

Feb. 29, 2012

Significant Accounting Policies and General Matters [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies and General Matters

(1) Significant Accounting Policies and General Matters

Nature of Operations. Ennis, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company) are principally engaged in the production of and sale of business forms, other business products and apparel to customers primarily located in the United States.

Basis of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company’s fiscal years ended on the following days: February 29, 2012, February 28, 2011 and February 28, 2010 (fiscal years ended 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively).

Accounts Receivable. Trade receivables are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment generally within 30 days from the invoice date. The Company’s allowance for doubtful receivables reserve is based on an analysis that estimates the amount of its total customer receivable balance that is not collectible. This analysis includes assessing a default probability to customers’ receivable balances, which is influenced by several factors including (i) current market conditions, (ii) periodic review of customer credit worthiness, and (iii) review of customer receivable aging and payment trends.

Inventories. With the exception of approximately one sixth of its print segment inventories, which are valued at the lower of last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost or market, the Company values its inventories at the lower of first in, first out (FIFO) cost or market. At fiscal years ended 2012 and 2011, approximately 3.12% and 4.15% of inventories, respectively, are valued at LIFO with the remainder of inventories valued at FIFO. The Company regularly reviews inventories on hand, using specific aging categories, and writes down the carrying value of its inventories for excess and potentially obsolete inventories based on historical usage and estimated future usage. In assessing the ultimate realization of its inventories, the Company is required to make judgments as to future demand requirements. As actual future demand or market conditions may vary from those projected by the Company, adjustments to inventories may be required. The Company provides reserves for excess and obsolete inventory when necessary based upon analysis of quantities on hand, recent sales volumes and reference to market prices. Reserves for excess and obsolete inventory at fiscal years ended 2012 and 2011 were $3.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over a period considered adequate to amortize the total cost over the useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 11 years for plant, machinery and equipment and 10 to 40 years for buildings and improvements. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvements. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining life of the specific property unit. The Company capitalizes all leases that are in substance acquisitions of property.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price paid over the value of net assets of businesses acquired and is not amortized. Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise, using a fair-value-based test that compares the fair value of the related business unit to its carrying value.

Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is based upon future discounted net cash flows.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivables, accounts payable and long-term debt approximate fair value because of the short maturity and/or variable rates associated with these instruments. Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value. Refer to Note 8 for additional discussion of fair value measurements.

Treasury Stock. The Company accounts for repurchases of common stock using the cost method with common stock in treasury classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a reduction of shareholders’ equity.

Deferred Finance Charges. The Company accounts for deferred finance charges in connection with its revolving credit facility. The costs associated with the debt are amortized to interest expense over the term of the facility using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. If the facility is extinguished before the end of the term, the remaining balance of the deferred finance charges will be amortized fully in such year.

Revenue Recognition. Revenue is generally recognized upon shipment of products. Net sales represent gross sales invoiced to customers, less certain related charges, including sales tax, discounts, returns and other allowances. Returns, discounts and other allowances have historically been insignificant. In some cases and upon customer request, the Company prints and stores custom print product for customer specified future delivery, generally within twelve months. In this case, risk of loss passes to the customer, the customer is invoiced under normal credit terms, and revenue is recognized when manufacturing is complete. Approximately $10.5 million, $10.5 million and $12.4 million of revenue was recognized under these arrangements during fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010 respectively.

Advertising Expenses. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Catalog and brochure preparation and printing costs, which are considered direct response advertising, are amortized to expense over the life of the catalog, which typically ranges from three to twelve months. Advertising expense was approximately $1.0 million, $1.3 million, and $1.6 million, during the fiscal years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Included in advertising expense is amortization related to direct response advertising of approximately $436,000, $453,000, and $817,000 for the fiscal years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Unamortized direct advertising costs included in prepaid expenses at fiscal years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $155,000, $99,000, and $104,000, respectively.

Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive securities had been issued, calculated using the treasury stock method. For fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010, there were 216,443, 93,700, and 98,950 of options, respectively, not included in the diluted earnings per share computation because their effect was anti-dilutive.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity resulting from transactions from non-owner sources. Other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following: adjustments resulting from the foreign currency translation of the Company’s Mexican and Canadian operations, changes in the fair value of interest rate swap and changes in the funded status of the Company’s pension plan.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposures to interest rate fluctuations on its floating debt agreements when the Company deems it prudent to do so. The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet, measure those instruments at fair value and recognize changes in the fair value of derivatives in earnings in the period of change, unless the derivative qualifies as an effective hedge that offsets certain exposures.

Foreign Currency Translation. The functional currency for the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the applicable local currency. Assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The adjustments resulting from translating the financial statements of the foreign subsidiary are reflected in shareholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.

Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations in other income (expense), net as incurred. Transaction gains and losses totaled approximately $(81,000), $169,000, and $290,000 for fiscal years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Shipping and Handling Costs. The Company records amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling costs in net sales and related costs are included in cost of goods sold.

Stock Based Compensation. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures (estimated at 4%) over the requisite service period of the individual grants, which generally equals the vesting period. The fair value of all share based awards is estimated on the date of grant. For a further discussion of the impact of stock based compensation on the consolidated financial statements, see Note 11, “Stock Option Plan and Stock Based Compensation.”

Concentrations of Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk principally consist of cash and trade receivables. Cash is placed with high-credit quality financial institutions. The Company’s credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited in management’s opinion due to industry and geographic diversification. As disclosed on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, the Company maintains an allowance for doubtful receivables to cover estimated credit losses associated with accounts receivable.

The Company, for quality and pricing reasons, purchases its paper, cotton and yarn products from a limited number of suppliers. To maintain its high standard of color control associated with its apparel products, the Company purchases its dyeing chemicals from limited sources. While other sources may be available to the Company to purchase these products, they may not be available at the cost or at the quality the Company has come to expect.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity.

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