Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 111,850	$ 426,318	$ 352,130
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	19,045	18,375	18,375
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	92,805	407,943	333,755
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	(4,464)	(88,137)	(93,368)
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $1,513, $484, and $1,080, respectively	2,427	777	1,691
Net unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities, net of tax of $(244), $(1,427) and $2,775, respectively	(416)	(2,430)	4,735
Adjustments to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $(14,430), $13,844 and $(106,336), respectively	(73,141)	19,146	(212,818)
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $17,550, $15,966, and $15,643, respectively	24,096	28,165	28,160
Other comprehensive loss	(51,498)	(42,479)	(271,600)
Comprehensive income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 41,307	$ 365,464	$ 62,155