Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) - 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, 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 ($0.75 per share)	(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 ($0.75 per share)	(139,454)					(139,454)
Preference	(36)					(36)
Issuances of common stock	(1,978)				(33,316)			31,338
Conversions to common stock			(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)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative effect of accounting changes							(116,233)
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	223,665					223,665
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(40,020)						(40,020)
Cash dividends
Common ($0.75 per share)	(140,466)					(140,466)
Preference	(32)					(32)
Issuances of common stock	(1,071)				(37,030)			35,959
Conversions to common stock	0		(45)		(904)			949
Stock-based compensation	21,042				21,042
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	239,472	$ 1	$ 396	$ 323,338	$ 121,475	5,416,777	(948,426)	$ (4,674,089)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative effect of accounting changes	$ (12,207)					$ 104,026	$ (116,233)