Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	$ 938,786	$ 949,789	$ 2,838,214	$ 2,899,548
EBIT	224,103	212,403	660,773	701,486
Reconciling items:
Interest, net	(46,357)	(45,088)	(145,066)	(142,853)
Unallocated corporate and other expenses	(50,196)	(44,185)	(170,340)	(151,154)
Restructuring charges and asset impariments	(34,909)	0	(53,940)	980
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			(101,415)	(18,315)
Other Income	0	0	(25,121)	(1,138)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	92,641	123,130	291,427	408,459
Cash and cash equivalents	759,636	424,789	759,636	424,789	913,276	856,238
Short-term investments	20,471		20,471		36,611
Assets held for sale	550,641		550,641		0
Small & Medium Business Solutions
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	565,264	589,550	1,734,769	1,812,292
EBIT	182,889	180,140	541,268	566,645
North America Mailing
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	422,821	447,920	1,286,085	1,362,709
EBIT	167,433	168,934	488,301	514,975
International Mailing
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	142,443	141,630	448,684	449,583
EBIT	15,456	11,206	52,967	51,670
Enterprise Business Solutions
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	221,570	220,798	683,306	659,983
EBIT	31,018	29,292	99,371	111,167
Production Mail
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	116,477	114,889	360,352	337,582
EBIT	10,620	10,125	34,239	28,439
Mail Services
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	105,093	105,909	322,954	322,401
EBIT	20,398	19,167	65,132	82,728
Digital Commerce Solutions [Member]
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	151,952	139,441	420,139	427,273
EBIT	$ 10,196	$ 2,971	$ 20,134	$ 23,674