Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 223,665	$ 261,340	$ 111,850
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translations, net of tax of $(6,289) in 2018	(54,531)	106,391	(4,464)
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $232, $678, and $1,513, respectively	684	1,079	2,427
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities, net of tax of $(1,545), $944 and $(244), respectively	(5,002)	1,477	(416)
Adjustments to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $(13,058), $3,089 and $(17,550), respectively	(46,170)	12,185	(73,141)
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $21,675, $13,936, and $14,430, respectively	64,999	26,828	24,096
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(40,020)	147,960	(51,498)
Comprehensive income	183,645	409,300	60,352
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	19,045
Comprehensive income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 183,645	$ 409,300	$ 41,307