CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,263,574	$ 1,227,749	$ 3,696,580	$ 3,633,218
Cost of sales	1,035,910	1,003,712	3,024,876	2,980,901
Gross profit	227,664	224,037	671,704	652,317
Selling, general and administrative expenses	110,507	117,935	360,712	359,794
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	5,908	5,818	11,571	18,785
Income before interest and income taxes	111,249	100,284	299,421	273,738
Interest expense	13,620	15,119	40,574	45,400
Interest income	702	833	1,878	2,439
Income before income taxes	98,331	85,998	260,725	230,777
Provision for income taxes	28,891	27,085	82,053	74,746
Income before equity in earnings of affiliates	69,440	58,913	178,672	156,031
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	2,294	2,512	6,896	8,233
Net income	71,734	61,425	185,568	164,264
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(810)	(185)	(858)	103
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$ 70,924	$ 61,240	$ 184,710	$ 164,367
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	102,128	102,835	102,451	102,586
Diluted (in shares)	103,087	103,510	103,425	103,164
Net income attributable to Sonoco per common share:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.69	$ 0.60	$ 1.80	$ 1.60
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.69	$ 0.59	$ 1.79	$ 1.59
Cash dividends (in usd per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.31	$ 0.95	$ 0.92