Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 53,513	$ 65,133
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	15,512	19,915
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $162 and $353, respectively	486	576
Net unrealized (loss) gain on investment securities, net of tax of $(1,366) and $344, respectively	(3,992)	585
Adjustments to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $(304)	0	(1,482)
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $2,803 and $3,517, respectively	8,172	6,708
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	20,178	26,302
Comprehensive income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 73,691	$ 91,435