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Segment Information (EBIT) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciling items:
Restructuring charges and asset impairments, net									$ (27,077)	$ (56,223)	$ (60,295)
Goodwill impairment									0	0	(148,181)
Gain on sale of technology									0	6,085	0
Other expense									(7,964)	(3,856)	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 52,479	$ 45,129	$ 53,464	$ 61,289	$ 38,893	$ 56,265	$ 42,251	$ 84,506	212,361	221,915	201,789
Provision for income taxes	(8,362)	(1,976)	6,458	16,263	(38,147)	10,828	790	27,082	12,383	553	106,975
Income from discontinued operations	$ (15,856)	$ 29,848	$ 1,208	$ 8,487	$ 12,908	$ 11,921	$ 7,440	$ 7,709	23,687	39,978	17,036
Net income									223,665	261,340	111,850
Commerce Services \| Global Ecommerce
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
EBIT									(32,379)	(17,899)	3,043
Commerce Services \| Presort Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
EBIT									73,768	97,506	95,258
SMB Solutions \| North America Mailing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
EBIT									470,268	498,571	594,723
SMB Solutions \| International Mailing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
EBIT									63,820	48,531	45,408
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
EBIT									622,571	660,527	760,551
Operating Segments \| Commerce Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
EBIT									41,389	79,607	98,301
Operating Segments \| SMB Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
EBIT									534,088	547,102	640,131
Operating Segments \| Software Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
EBIT									47,094	33,818	22,119
Reconciling Items
Reconciling items:
Interest, net									(159,757)	(164,162)	(144,211)
Unallocated corporate expenses									(180,481)	(214,072)	(199,954)
Restructuring charges and asset impairments, net									(27,077)	(56,223)	(60,295)
Goodwill impairment									0	0	(148,181)
Pension settlement									(31,329)	0	0
Gain on sale of technology									0	6,085	0
Transaction costs									3,602	6,384	6,121
Other expense									$ (7,964)	$ (3,856)	$ 0