Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	$ 941,644	$ 920,489	$ 2,837,591	$ 2,780,514
EBIT	231,748	218,222	692,198	645,100
Reconciling items:
Interest, net	(41,825)	(45,519)	(127,437)	(142,525)
Unallocated corporate expenses	(59,779)	(50,194)	(161,841)	(145,216)
Restructuring charges and asset impairments	(4,526)	(34,909)	(22,666)	(53,940)
Other income (expense)	15,919	0	(45,738)	(25,121)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	141,537	87,600	334,516	278,298
Small & Medium Business Solutions
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	495,576	523,017	1,554,326	1,607,383
EBIT	175,717	174,319	544,104	517,760
North America Mailing
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	363,285	381,685	1,115,507	1,162,718
EBIT	159,638	158,692	476,757	464,668
International Mailing
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	132,291	141,332	438,819	444,665
EBIT	16,079	15,627	67,347	53,092
Enterprise Business Solutions
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	224,931	221,570	669,674	683,306
EBIT	31,497	31,018	96,100	99,371
Production Mail
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	113,497	116,477	330,469	360,352
EBIT	9,570	10,620	27,865	34,239
Presort Services
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	111,434	105,093	339,205	322,954
EBIT	21,927	20,398	68,235	65,132
Digital Commerce Solutions
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	221,137	175,902	613,591	489,825
EBIT	$ 24,534	$ 12,885	$ 51,994	$ 27,969