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, 2014	$ 77,259	$ 1	$ 548	$ 323,338	$ 178,852	$ 4,897,708	$ (846,156)	$ (4,477,032)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
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)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	92,805					92,805
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(51,498)						(51,498)
Cash dividends
Common	(140,570)					(140,570)
Preference	(38)					(38)
Issuances of common stock	(970)				(27,856)			26,886
Conversions to common stock		0	(22)		(456)			478
Stock-based compensation	15,157				15,157
Repurchase of common stock	(197,267)							(197,267)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	(103,660)	1	483	323,338	148,125	5,107,734	(940,133)	(4,743,208)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	261,340					261,340
Other comprehensive income (loss)	147,960						147,960
Cash dividends
Common	(139,454)					(139,454)
Preference	(36)					(36)
Issuances of common stock	(1,978)				(33,316)			31,338
Conversions to common stock	0		(42)		(831)			873
Stock-based compensation	24,389				24,389
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 188,561	$ 1	$ 441	$ 323,338	$ 138,367	$ 5,229,584	$ (792,173)	$ (4,710,997)