Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 reporting_segments business_groups	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Number of Reportable Segments			7
Number of Business Groups			2
Revenues	$ 1,215,677	$ 1,299,724	$ 3,717,151	$ 3,937,267
EBIT	220,965	277,594	733,544	786,464
Reconciling items:
Interest, net	(45,088)	(49,097)	(142,853)	(148,219)
Corporate and other expenses	(39,960)	(50,046)	(138,521)	(135,426)
Restructuring charges and asset impairments	9,986	(32,956)	(11,060)	(63,974)
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	(18,315)	(45,650)	(18,315)	(45,650)	(130,150)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	107,616	99,845	422,795	393,195
Small And Medium Business Solutions [Member]
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	602,091	653,460	1,850,374	2,002,843
EBIT	180,220	202,385	568,016	607,760
Reconciling items:
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		0
North America Mailing [Member]
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	447,920	475,663	1,362,709	1,478,355
EBIT	168,934	177,280	514,975	532,727
International Mailing [Member]
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	154,171	177,797	487,665	524,488
EBIT	11,286	25,105	53,041	75,033
Enterprise Business Solutions [Member]
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	613,586	646,264	1,866,777	1,934,424
EBIT	40,745	75,209	165,528	178,704
Reconciling items:
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	(18,315)				(130,150)
Production Mail [Member]
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	122,251	117,220	360,334	382,595
EBIT	3,555	(3,426)	11,928	12,971
Software [Member]
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	88,629	109,153	288,830	304,921
EBIT	956	16,564	20,135	31,618
Management Services [Member]
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	220,887	235,428	679,078	717,513
EBIT	10,266	18,248	36,187	59,256
Reconciling items:
Goodwill, Impairment Loss					(84,500)
Mail Services [Member]
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	142,182	143,055	432,845	421,611
EBIT	16,671	35,107	75,661	55,191
Reconciling items:
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	(18,315)				(45,650)
Marketing Services [Member]
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	39,637	41,408	105,690	107,784
EBIT	$ 9,297	$ 8,716	$ 21,617	$ 19,668