Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred stock	Preference stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Treasury stock
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	0		(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		(3)	(43)		(970)			1,016
Stock-based compensation	17,446				17,446
Repurchase of common stock	(50,003)							(50,003)
Repurchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest	(7,520)				(7,520)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	77,259	$ 1	548	323,338	178,852	4,897,708	(846,156)	(4,477,032)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	407,943					407,943
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(42,479)						(42,479)
Cash dividends
Common	(150,073)					(150,073)
Preference	(41)					(41)
Issuances of common stock	(3,218)				(37,705)			34,487
Conversions to common stock	0		(43)		(916)			959
Stock-based compensation	21,049				21,049
Repurchase of common stock	(131,719)							(131,719)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 178,721	$ 1	$ 505	$ 323,338	$ 161,280	$ 5,155,537	$ (888,635)	$ (4,573,305)