Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Preferred stock	Preference stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury stock
Balance at Dec. 30, 2011	$ (38,986)	$ 4	$ 659	$ 323,338	$ 240,584	$ 4,600,217	$ (661,645)	$ (4,542,143)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Retained earnings adjustment (see Note 14)	16,773					16,773
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	(22,213)	4	659	323,338	240,584	4,616,990	(661,645)	(4,542,143)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	445,163					445,163
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,568)						(19,568)
Cash dividends
Common	(300,527)					(300,527)
Preference	(51)					(51)
Issuances of common stock	6,373				(34,727)			41,100
Conversions to common stock	0		(11)		(237)			248
Stock-based compensation	18,227				18,227
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	127,404	4	648	323,338	223,847	4,761,575	(681,213)	(4,500,795)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	142,835					142,835
Other comprehensive income (loss)	106,657						106,657
Cash dividends
Common	(188,800)					(188,800)
Preference	(46)					(46)
Issuances of common stock	2,205				(40,569)			42,774
Conversions to common stock			(57)		(1,222)			1,279
Stock-based compensation	14,921				14,921
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	205,176	4	591	323,338	196,977	4,715,564	(574,556)	(4,456,742)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	333,755					333,755
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(271,600)						(271,600)
Cash dividends
Common	(151,567)					(151,567)
Preference	(44)					(44)
Issuances of common stock	1,616				(27,081)			28,697
Conversions to common stock	0	(3)	(43)		(970)			1,016
Stock-based compensation	17,446				17,446
Repurchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest	(7,520)				(7,520)
Repurchase of common stock	(50,003)							(50,003)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 77,259	$ 1	$ 548	$ 323,338	$ 178,852	$ 4,897,708	$ (846,156)	$ (4,477,032)