Deluxe (DLX) 10-Q 1 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 21, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'DELUXE CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000027996	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	50,054,029

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$140,615	$121,089
Trade accounts receivable (net of allowances for uncollectible accounts of $3,984 and $3,861, respectively)	77,974	88,049
Inventories and supplies	29,334	28,966
Deferred income taxes	6,576	6,946
Funds held for customers	31,811	42,425
Other current assets	32,484	31,838
Total current assets	318,794	319,313
Deferred income taxes	1,781	1,851
Long-term investments (including $2,221 and $2,407 of investments at fair value, respectively)	44,700	44,451
Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $363,098 and $360,926, respectively)	98,633	101,343
Assets held for sale	26,352	25,451
Intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $357,119 and $346,086, respectively)	155,293	153,576
Goodwill	822,944	822,777
Other non-current assets	95,835	100,767
Total assets	1,564,332	1,569,529
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	69,353	71,492
Accrued liabilities	149,052	162,990
Long-term debt due within one year	255,262	255,589
Total current liabilities	473,667	490,071
Long-term debt	387,942	385,115
Deferred income taxes	83,624	82,814
Other non-current liabilities	60,106	61,072
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 11 and 12)	'	'
Shareholders equity:	'	'
Common shares $1 par value (authorized: 500,000 shares; outstanding: 2014 - 50,043; 2013 - 50,344)	50,043	50,344
Additional paid-in capital	0	22,596
Retained earnings	544,243	510,941
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-35,293	-33,424
Total shareholders' equity	558,993	550,457
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$1,564,332	$1,569,529

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Allowances for uncollectible accounts	$3,984	$3,861
Investments at fair value	2,221	2,407
Accumulated depreciation	363,098	360,926
Accumulated amortization	$357,119	$346,086
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value (per share)	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000	500,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	50,043	50,344

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Product revenue	$345,664	$339,875
Service revenue	61,291	47,678
Total revenue	406,955	387,553
Cost of products sold	-118,386	-112,270
Cost of services	-26,542	-21,027
Total cost of revenue	-144,928	-133,297
Gross profit	262,027	254,256
Selling, general and administrative expense	-177,931	-175,152
Net restructuring charges	-3,300	-1,371
Operating income	80,796	77,733
Interest expense	-9,567	-9,479
Other income	131	350
Income before income taxes	71,360	68,604
Income tax provision	-24,036	-22,729
Net income	47,324	45,875
Comprehensive income	$45,455	$45,250
Basic earnings per share	$0.94	$0.90
Diluted earnings per share	$0.93	$0.89
Cash dividends per share	$0.25	$0.25

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_SHAR

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common shares par value [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$550,457	$50,344	$22,596	$510,941	($33,424)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	50,344	'	'	'	'
Net income	47,324	0	0	47,324	0
Cash dividends	-12,644	0	0	-12,644	0
Common shares issued	7,071	369	6,702	0	0
Common shares issued (in shares)	369	'	'	'	'
Tax impact of share-based awards	1,170	0	1,170	0	0
Common shares repurchased	-31,930	-623	-29,929	-1,378	0
Common shares repurchased (in shares)	-623	'	'	'	'
Other common shares retired	-2,307	-47	-2,260	0	0
Other common shares retired (in shares)	-47	'	'	'	'
Fair value of share-based compensation	1,721	0	1,721	0	0
Other comprehensive income	-1,869	0	0	0	-1,869
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$558,993	$50,043	$0	$544,243	($35,293)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	50,043	'	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$47,324	$45,875
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	4,241	4,556
Amortization of intangibles	12,024	11,343
Amortization of contract acquisition costs	4,261	4,102
Deferred income taxes	-594	-144
Employee share-based compensation expense	1,908	1,919
Other non-cash items, net	2,336	2,016
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:	'	'
Trade accounts receivable	8,926	-5,605
Inventories and supplies	-585	-948
Other current assets	-1,703	-4,180
Non-current assets	-860	-3,520
Accounts payable	-2,169	-1,800
Contract acquisition payments	-1,355	-3,177
Other accrued and non-current liabilities	-415	1,031
Net cash provided by operating activities	73,339	51,468
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of capital assets	-10,950	-8,304
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-2,866	-1,360
Other	806	-173
Net cash used by investing activities	-13,010	-9,837
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net payments on short-term debt	-125	0
Payments on long-term debt	-203	0
Payments for debt issue costs	-939	-138
Change in book overdrafts	0	55
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans	5,376	8,987
Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards	1,401	915
Payments for common shares repurchased	-31,930	-12,609
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	-12,644	-12,731
Net cash used by financing activities	-39,064	-15,521
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	-1,739	-804
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	19,526	25,306
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	121,089	45,435
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$140,615	$70,741

Consolidated_financial_stateme

Consolidated financial statements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Consolidated financial statements	'
	Consolidated financial statements
	The consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 was derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the consolidated financial statements are included. Adjustments consist only of normal recurring items, except for any discussed in the notes below. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The consolidated financial statements and notes are presented in accordance with instructions for Form 10-Q, and do not contain certain information included in our annual consolidated financial statements and notes. The consolidated financial statements and notes appearing in this report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated audited financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”).

New_accounting_pronouncements

New accounting pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
New accounting pronouncements	'
	New accounting pronouncements
	On January 1, 2014, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This standard provides guidance regarding when an unrecognized tax benefit should be classified as a reduction to a deferred tax asset or when it should be classified as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet. Adoption of this standard resulted in an increase of $669 in non-current deferred income tax liabilities and a corresponding decrease in other non-current liabilities.
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This standard changes the criteria for determining which disposals should be presented as discontinued operations and modifies the related disclosure requirements. Additionally, the new guidance requires that a business which qualifies as held for sale upon acquisition should be reported as discontinued operations. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2015 and applies prospectively to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groups as held for sale after the effective date. We are currently assessing the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

Supplemental_balance_sheet_inf

Supplemental balance sheet information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Supplemental balance sheet information	'
	Supplemental balance sheet information
	Inventories and supplies – Inventories and supplies were comprised of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	5,571		$	5,426
	Semi-finished goods	8,137			8,361
	Finished goods	12,520			11,948
	Supplies	3,106			3,231
	Inventories and supplies	$	29,334		$	28,966
	Available-for-sale securities – Available-for-sale securities included within cash and cash equivalents, funds held for customers and other current assets were comprised of the following:
		March 31, 2014
		Cost			Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses			Fair value
	Money market securities (cash equivalents)	$	56,001		$	—		$	—		$	56,001
	Canadian and provincial government securities (funds held for customers)(1)	9,580			—			(240		)	9,340
	Canadian money market fund (other current assets)	1,974			—			—			1,974
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	67,555		$	—		$	(240	)	$	67,315
	(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014, also included cash of $22,471.
		December 31, 2013
		Cost			Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses			Fair value
	Money market securities (cash equivalents)	$	70,001		$	—		$	—		$	70,001
	Funds held for customers:
	Canadian and provincial government securities	9,901			—			(343		)	9,558
	Canadian guaranteed investment certificate	5,178			—			—			5,178
	Available-for-sale securities (funds held for customers)(1)	15,079			—			(343		)	14,736
	Canadian money market fund (other current assets)	2,045			—			—			2,045
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	87,125		$	—		$	(343	)	$	86,782
	(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, also included cash of $27,689.
	Expected maturities of available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2014 were as follows:
		Fair value
	Due in one year or less	$	57,975
	Due in two to five years	4,913
	Due in six to ten years	4,427
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	67,315
	Further information regarding the fair value of available-for-sale securities can be found in Note 8: Fair value measurements.
	Assets held for sale – Assets held for sale consisted of the operations of small business distributors which we previously purchased. The assets consisted primarily of customer lists. We are actively marketing the assets and expect the selling prices will exceed the carrying values. Net assets held for sale consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,			Balance sheet caption
		2014			2013
	Current assets	$	216		$	727		Other current assets
	Intangibles	25,527			24,603			Assets held for sale
	Other non-current assets	825			848			Assets held for sale
	Accrued liabilities	(856		)	(733		)	Accrued liabilities
	Non-current deferred income tax liabilities	(8,735		)	(7,821		)	Other non-current liabilities
	Other non-current liabilities	(40		)	(32		)	Other non-current liabilities
	Net assets held for sale	$	16,937		$	17,592
	Intangibles – Intangibles were comprised of the following:
		March 31, 2014									December 31, 2013
		Gross carrying amount			Accumulated amortization			Net carrying amount			Gross carrying amount			Accumulated amortization			Net carrying amount
	Indefinite-lived:
	Trade name	$	19,100		$	—		$	19,100		$	19,100		$	—		$	19,100
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Internal-use software	352,135			(283,815		)	68,320			339,995			(275,159		)	64,836
	Trade names	67,761			(34,568		)	33,193			67,961			(33,642		)	34,319
	Customer lists/relationships	65,292			(32,817		)	32,475			63,282			(31,606		)	31,676
	Other	8,124			(5,919		)	2,205			9,324			(5,679		)	3,645
	Amortizable intangibles	493,312			(357,119		)	136,193			480,562			(346,086		)	134,476
	Intangibles	$	512,412		$	(357,119	)	$	155,293		$	499,662		$	(346,086	)	$	153,576
	Amortization of intangibles was $12,024 for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and $11,343 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Based on the intangibles in service as of March 31, 2014, estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
		Estimated
		amortization
		expense
	Remainder of 2014	$	30,661
	2015	32,825
	2016	20,804
2017	10,918
2018	7,525
We acquire internal-use software in the normal course of business. We also acquire internal-use software and other intangible assets in conjunction with acquisitions (Note 6). The following intangible assets were acquired during the quarter ended March 31, 2014:
	Amount			Weighted-average amortization period
				(in years)
Internal-use software	$	12,218		4
Customer lists/relationships	2,891			9
Acquired intangibles	$	15,109		5
Goodwill – Changes in goodwill during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
	Small			Financial			Direct			Total
	Business			Services			Checks
	Services
Balance, December 31, 2013:
Goodwill, gross	$	652,554		$	41,717		$	148,506		$	842,777
Accumulated impairment charges	(20,000		)	—			—			(20,000		)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges	632,554			41,717			148,506			822,777
Adjustment for acquisition of Destination Rewards, Inc. (Note 6)	—			(1,375		)	—			(1,375		)
Acquisition of NetClime, Inc. (Note 6)	1,615			—			—			1,615
Currency translation adjustment	(73		)	—			—			(73		)
Balance, March 31, 2014:
Goodwill, gross	654,096			40,342			148,506			842,944
Accumulated impairment charges	(20,000		)	—			—			(20,000		)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges	$	634,096		$	40,342		$	148,506		$	822,944
Other non-current assets – Other non-current assets were comprised of the following:
	March 31,			December 31,
	2014			2013
Contract acquisition costs	$	31,475		$	35,421
Postretirement benefit plan asset	26,251			24,981
Loans and notes receivable from distributors	15,610			16,162
Deferred advertising costs	9,815			10,447
Other	12,684			13,756
Other non-current assets	$	95,835		$	100,767
Changes in contract acquisition costs during the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
	Quarter Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Balance, beginning of year	$	35,421		$	43,036
Additions(1)	425			4,269
Amortization	(4,261		)	(4,102		)
Other	(110		)	(133		)
Balance, end of period	$	31,475		$	43,070
(1) Contract acquisition costs are accrued upon contract execution. Cash payments made for contract acquisition costs were $1,355 for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and $3,177 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.
Accrued liabilities – Accrued liabilities were comprised of the following:
	March 31,			December 31,
	2014			2013
Funds held for customers	$	31,068		$	41,810
Income taxes	21,346			3,677
Customer rebates	18,456			21,623
Deferred revenue	16,253			16,897
Interest	11,618			8,869
Employee profit sharing/cash bonus	8,354			29,544
Restructuring due within one year (Note 9)	4,100			5,609
Contract acquisition costs due within one year	2,840			3,880
Other	35,017			31,081
Accrued liabilities	$	149,052		$	162,990

Earnings_per_share

Earnings per share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per share	'
	Earnings per share
	The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share. During each period, certain stock options, as noted below, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive.
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Earnings per share – basic:
	Net income	$	47,324		$	45,875
	Income allocated to participating securities	(200		)	(330		)
	Income available to common shareholders	$	47,124		$	45,545
	Weighted-average shares outstanding	50,228			50,707
	Earnings per share – basic	$	0.94		$	0.9
	Earnings per share – diluted:
	Net income	$	47,324		$	45,875
	Income allocated to participating securities	(198		)	(328		)
	Re-measurement of share-based awards classified as liabilities	(8		)	153
	Income available to common shareholders	$	47,118		$	45,700
	Weighted-average shares outstanding	50,228			50,707
	Dilutive impact of potential common shares	456			465
	Weighted-average shares and potential common shares outstanding	50,684			51,172
	Earnings per share – diluted	$	0.93		$	0.89
	Antidilutive options excluded from calculation	281			412

Other_comprehensive_income

Other comprehensive income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Other comprehensive income	'
	Other comprehensive income
	Reclassification adjustments – Information regarding amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income was as follows:
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss components	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss						Affected line item in consolidated statements of comprehensive income
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Amortization of loss on interest rate locks(1)	(429		)	(412		)	Interest expense
	Tax benefit	168			152			Income tax provision
	Amortization of loss on interest rate locks, net of tax	(261		)	(260		)	Net income
	Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items:
	Prior service credit	$	355		$	355		(2)
	Net actuarial loss	(854		)	(1,110		)	(2)
	Total amortization	(499		)	(755		)	(2)
	Tax benefit	140			229			(2)
	Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items, net of tax	(359		)	(526		)	(2)
	Total reclassifications, net of tax	$	(620	)	$	(786	)
	(1) Relates to interest rate locks executed in 2004. See the caption "Note 6: Derivative financial instruments" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.
	(2) Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items is included in the computation of net periodic benefit income. Additional details can be found in Note 10: Postretirement benefits.
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss – Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:
		Postretirement benefit plans, net of tax			Loss on derivatives, net of tax(1)			Net unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax(2)			Currency translation adjustment			Accumulated other comprehensive loss
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	(34,874	)	$	(781	)	$	(276	)	$	2,507		$	(33,424	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	—			—			68			(2,557		)	(2,489		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	359			261			—			—			620
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	359			261			68			(2,557		)	(1,869		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	(34,515	)	$	(520	)	$	(208	)	$	(50	)	$	(35,293	)
	(1) Relates to interest rate locks executed in 2004. See the caption "Note 6: Derivative financial instruments" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.
	(2) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications is net of income tax expense of $24.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we made the following payments, net of cash acquired, for business acquisitions:
		Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
	NetClime, Inc.	$	1,988
	Small business distributors	628
	Other	250
	Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$	2,866
	In January 2014, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of NetClime, Inc., a provider of website development software. The allocation of the purchase price based upon the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed resulted in goodwill of $1,615. The acquisition resulted in goodwill as we expect to drive future revenue as we incorporate NetClime's software solution into our technology platform and the marketing solutions services we offer our customers. Transaction costs related to the acquisition were expensed as incurred and were not significant to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The results of operations of this business from its acquisition date are included in our Small Business Services segment. Intangible assets acquired consisted primarily of internal-use software with an aggregate value of $1,050 and a useful life of 4 years, which is being amortized using the straight-line method. Further information regarding the calculation of the estimated fair value of the internal-use software can be found in Note 8.
	In December 2013, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Destination Rewards, Inc., a rewards and loyalty program provider. During the first quarter of 2014, we adjusted the valuation of the intangibles acquired, and we finalized the determination of the intangible useful lives, resulting in tax-deductible goodwill of $11,705. This is a decrease of $1,375 from the amount of goodwill as of December 31, 2013. We expect to finalize the allocation of the purchase price during the second quarter of 2014, as we finalize the valuation of an acquired liability. The acquisition resulted in goodwill as we plan to offer Destination Rewards to our clients as a key component of our marketing solutions product set. The acquired intangible assets consisted primarily of customer relationships of $4,400 with a useful life of 10 years, internal-use software with an aggregate value of $4,100 and a weighted-average useful life of 4 years and supplier relationships of $1,100 with a useful life of 5 years. All of the intangibles are being amortized using the straight-line method. Further information regarding the calculation of the estimated fair values of these assets can be found in Note 8.

Derivative_financial_instrumen

Derivative financial instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative financial instruments	'
	Derivative financial instruments
	We have entered into interest rate swaps to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of our long-term debt. We entered into these swaps, which we designated as fair value hedges, to achieve a targeted mix of fixed and variable rate debt, where we receive a fixed rate and pay a variable rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and the related long-term debt are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The interest rate swaps related to our long-term debt due in 2020 meet the criteria for using the short-cut method for a fair value hedge based on the structure of the hedging relationship. As such, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the related long-term debt are equal. The short-cut method is not being used for the interest rate swaps related to our long-term debt due in 2014. When the change in the fair value of these interest rate swaps and the hedged debt are not equal (i.e., hedge ineffectiveness), the difference in the changes in fair value affects the reported amount of interest expense in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Information regarding hedge ineffectiveness in each period is presented in Note 8.
	Information regarding interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2014 was as follows:
		Notional amount		Fair value of interest rate swaps			Increase (decrease) in debt due to fair value adjustment			Balance sheet caption including interest rate swaps
	Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2014	$	198,000	$	1,712		$	1,073		Other current assets
	Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2020	200,000		(13,751		)	(13,751		)	Other non-current liabilities
	Total fair value hedges	$	398,000	$	(12,039	)	$	(12,678	)
	Information regarding interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2013 was as follows:
		Notional amount		Fair value of interest rate swaps			Increase (decrease) in debt due to fair value adjustment			Balance sheet caption including interest rate swaps
	Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2014	$	198,000	$	2,158		$	1,569		Other current assets
	Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2020	200,000		(16,239		)	(16,239		)	Other non-current liabilities
	Total fair value hedges	$	398,000	$	(14,081	)	$	(14,670	)

Fair_value_measurements

Fair value measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value measurements	'
	Fair value measurements
	2014 acquisitions – For all acquisitions, we are required to measure the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired, excluding goodwill and deferred income taxes. The identifiable net assets acquired during the first quarter of 2014 were comprised primarily of internal-use software associated with the acquisition of NetClime, Inc. (Note 6). The fair value of the acquired internal-use software was estimated using a cost of reproduction method. The primary components of the software were identified and the estimated cost to reproduce the software was calculated based on data provided by NetClime. The calculated fair value of the acquired internal-use software was $1,050.
	During the first quarter of 2014, we finalized the valuation of the intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of Destination Rewards, Inc. in December 2013 (Note 6). The acquired intangibles consisted primarily of customer relationships, internal-use software and supplier relationships. The fair value of the customer relationships was estimated using the multi-period excess earnings method. Assumptions used in this calculation included same-customer revenue growth rates and estimated customer retention rates based on the acquirees' historical information. The fair value of the acquired customer relationships was $4,400. The fair value of the acquired internal-use software was estimated using a cost of reproduction method. The primary components of the software were identified and the estimated cost to reproduce the software was calculated using estimated time and labor rates derived from our historical data from previous upgrades of a similar size and nature. The fair value of the acquired internal-use software was $4,100. The fair value of the supplier relationships was estimated by comparing the forecasted gross margin with the supplier relationships in place compared to the forecasted gross margin without the supplier relationships. The fair value of the acquired supplier relationships was $1,100.
	Recurring fair value measurements – Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 included available-for-sale marketable securities (Note 3). These securities consisted of investments in money market funds which are traded in active markets. As such, the fair value of the securities is determined based on quoted market prices. Because of the short-term nature of the underlying investments, the cost of these securities approximates their fair value. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. No gains or losses on sales of these marketable securities were realized during the quarters ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.
	Funds held for customers included available-for-sale marketable securities (Note 3). These securities consisted of a mutual fund investment which invests in Canadian and provincial government securities, and as of December 31, 2013, an investment in a six-month Canadian guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) which matured in February 2014. The mutual fund is not traded in an active market and its fair value is determined by obtaining quoted prices in active markets for the underlying securities held by the fund. The fair value of the GIC approximated cost due to its relatively short duration. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. Realized gains and losses are included in revenue in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and were not significant for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.
	Other current assets included available-for-sale marketable securities (Note 3). These securities consisted of a Canadian money market fund which is not traded in an active market. As such, the fair value of this investment is determined by obtaining quoted prices in active markets for the underlying securities held by the fund. Because of the short-term nature of the underlying investments, the cost of these securities approximates their fair value. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. No gains or losses on sales of these marketable securities were realized during the quarters ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.
	We have elected to account for a long-term investment in domestic mutual funds under the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities. The fair value option provides companies an irrevocable option to measure many financial assets and liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The investment is included in long-term investments in the consolidated balance sheets. Long-term investments also include the cash surrender values of company-owned life insurance policies. Realized and unrealized gains and losses, as well as dividends earned by the mutual fund investment, are included in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. This investment corresponds to a liability under an officers’ deferred compensation plan which is not available to new participants and is fully funded by the investment in mutual funds. The liability under the plan equals the fair value of the investment in mutual funds. Thus, as the value of the investment changes, the value of the liability changes accordingly. As changes in the liability are reflected within SG&A expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, the fair value option of accounting for the investment in mutual funds allows us to net changes in the investment and the related liability in the statements of comprehensive income. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. During the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, net realized gains were not significant. We recognized net unrealized losses of $149 during the quarter ended March 31, 2014, while net unrealized gains recognized during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 were not significant.
	The fair value of interest rate swaps (Note 7) is determined at each reporting date by means of a pricing model utilizing readily observable market interest rates. The change in fair value is determined as the change in the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted using the LIBOR rate. The interest rate swaps related to our long-term debt due in 2020 meet the criteria for using the short-cut method for a fair value hedge based on the structure of the hedging relationship. As such, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and related long-term debt are equal. The short-cut method is not being used for our other interest rate swaps. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps, as well as changes in the fair value of the hedged debt, are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and were as follows:
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Gain (loss) from derivatives	$	2,042		$	(2,646	)
	(Loss) gain from change in fair value of hedged debt	(1,992		)	2,684
	Net decrease in interest expense	$	50		$	38
	Information regarding recurring fair value measurements completed during each period was as follows:
					Fair value measurements using
		Fair value as of			Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets			Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs
		March 31, 2014			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (cash equivalents)	$	56,001		$	56,001		$	—		$	—
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (funds held for customers)	9,340			—			9,340			—
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (other current assets)	1,974			—			1,974			—
	Long-term investment in mutual funds	2,221			2,221			—			—
	Derivative assets	1,712			—			1,712			—
	Derivative liabilities	(13,751		)	—			(13,751		)	—
					Fair value measurements using
		Fair value as of			Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets			Significant other			Significant unobservable inputs
		31-Dec-13						observable inputs
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (cash equivalents)	$	70,001		$	70,001		$	—		$	—
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (funds held for customers)	14,736			—			14,736			—
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (other current assets)	2,045			—			2,045			—
	Long-term investment in mutual funds	2,407			2,407			—			—
	Derivative assets	2,158			—			2,158			—
	Derivative liabilities	(16,239		)	—			(16,239		)	—
	Our policy is to recognize transfers between fair value levels as of the end of the reporting period in which the transfer occurred. There were no transfers between fair value levels during the quarter ended March 31, 2014.
	Fair value measurements of other financial instruments – The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.
	Cash, excluding cash equivalents, and cash included within funds held for customers – The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items.
	Loans and notes receivable from distributors – We have receivables for loans made to our Safeguard distributors. In addition, we have acquired the operations of several small business distributors which we then sold to our Safeguard distributors. In most cases, we entered into notes receivable upon the sale of the assets to the distributors. The fair value of these loans and notes receivable is calculated as the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted using an estimated interest rate based on published bond yields for companies of similar risk.
	Long-term debt – The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets in an active market. The fair value of long-term debt included in the table below does not reflect the impact of hedging activity. The carrying amount of long-term debt includes the change in fair value of hedged long-term debt.
	The estimated fair values of these financial instruments were as follows:
								Fair value measurements using
		March 31, 2014						Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets			Significant other observable inputs		Significant unobservable inputs
		Carrying value			Fair value			(Level 1)			(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash (excluding cash equivalents)	$	84,614		$	84,614		$	84,614		$	—	$	—
	Cash (funds held for customers)	22,471			22,471			22,471			—		—
	Loans and notes receivable from distributors	17,504			16,806			—			—		16,806
	Long-term debt, including portion due within one year(1)	640,793			683,986			683,986			—		—
	(1) Amounts exclude capital lease obligations.
								Fair value measurements using
		December 31, 2013						Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets			Significant other observable inputs		Significant unobservable inputs
		Carrying value			Fair value			(Level 1)			(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash (excluding cash equivalents)	$	51,088		$	51,088		$	51,088		$	—	$	—
	Cash (funds held for customers)	27,689			27,689			27,689			—		—
	Loans and notes receivable from distributors	18,047			17,051			—			—		17,051
	Long-term debt, including portion due within one year(1)	638,787			684,133			684,133			—		—
	(1) Amounts exclude capital lease obligations.

Restructuring_charges

Restructuring charges	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring charges	'
	Restructuring charges
	Net restructuring charges for each period consisted of the following components:
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Severance accruals	$	1,545		$	990
	Severance reversals	(310		)	(299		)
	Operating lease obligation reversal	—			(157		)
	Net restructuring accruals	1,235			534
	Other costs	2,297			915
	Net restructuring charges	$	3,532		$	1,449
	The net restructuring charges are reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as follows:
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Total cost of revenue	$	232		$	78
	Operating expenses	3,300			1,371
	Net restructuring charges	$	3,532		$	1,449
	2014 restructuring charges – During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, the net restructuring accruals included severance charges related to employee reductions across functional areas as we continue to reduce costs, primarily within our sales and marketing, information technology and fulfillment functions. The restructuring accruals included severance benefits for approximately 40 employees. These charges were reduced by the reversal of restructuring accruals recorded in previous years, as fewer employees received severance benefits than originally estimated. Other restructuring costs, which were expensed as incurred, included items such as information technology costs, employee and equipment moves, training and travel related to our restructuring activities.
	2013 restructuring charges – During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the net restructuring accruals included severance charges related to employee reductions across functional areas as we continued to reduce costs. The restructuring accruals included severance benefits for approximately 20 employees. These charges were reduced by the reversal of restructuring accruals recorded in previous years, as fewer employees received severance benefits than originally estimated and we entered into a sub-lease agreement related to an operating lease obligation. Other restructuring costs, which were expensed as incurred, included items such as information technology costs, employee and equipment moves, training and travel related to our restructuring activities.
	Restructuring accruals of $4,100 as of March 31, 2014 are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet in accrued liabilities. Restructuring accruals of $5,638 as of December 31, 2013 are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as accrued liabilities of $5,609 and other non-current liabilities of $29. The majority of the employee reductions are expected to be completed by mid-2014, and we expect most of the related severance payments to be paid by the end of 2014, utilizing cash from operations. The remaining payments due under operating lease obligations will be paid through February 2015. As of March 31, 2014, approximately 60 employees had not yet started to receive severance benefits. Further information regarding our restructuring accruals can be found under the caption “Note 8: Restructuring charges” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.
	Accruals for our restructuring initiatives, summarized by year, were as follows:
		2012			2013			2014 initiatives			Total
		initiatives			initiatives
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	409		$	5,229		$	—		$	5,638
	Restructuring charges	21			89			1,435			1,545
	Restructuring reversals	(3		)	(307		)	—			(310		)
	Payments	(224		)	(2,454		)	(95		)	(2,773		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	203		$	2,557		$	1,340		$	4,100
	Cumulative amounts:
	Restructuring charges	$	8,012		$	7,468		$	1,435		$	16,915
	Restructuring reversals	(1,354		)	(444		)	—			(1,798		)
	Payments	(6,455		)	(4,467		)	(95		)	(11,017		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	203		$	2,557		$	1,340		$	4,100
	The components of our restructuring accruals, by segment, were as follows:
		Employee severance benefits												Operating lease obligations
		Small Business Services			Financial Services			Direct Checks						Small Business Services			Direct Checks			Total
											Corporate
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	1,624		$	1,991		$	365		$	1,508		$	150		$	—		$	5,638
	Restructuring charges	943			—			—			602			—			—			1,545
	Restructuring reversals	(222		)	(50		)	(6		)	(32		)	—			—			(310		)
	Payments	(1,012		)	(895		)	(200		)	(636		)	(30		)	—			(2,773		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	1,333		$	1,046		$	159		$	1,442		$	120		$	—		$	4,100
	Cumulative amounts(1):
	Restructuring charges	$	5,820		$	3,888		$	549		$	6,046		$	442		$	170		$	16,915
	Restructuring reversals	(663		)	(319		)	(28		)	(631		)	(157		)	—			(1,798		)
	Inter-segment transfer	—			—			(25		)	25			—			—			—
	Payments	(3,824		)	(2,523		)	(337		)	(3,998		)	(165		)	(170		)	(11,017		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	1,333		$	1,046		$	159		$	1,442		$	120		$	—		$	4,100
	(1) Includes accruals related to our cost reduction initiatives for 2012 through 2014.

Postretirement_benefits

Postretirement benefits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Postretirement benefits	'
	Postretirement benefits
	We have historically provided certain health care benefits for a large number of retired U.S. employees. In addition to our retiree health care plan, we also have a supplemental executive retirement plan in the United States. Further information regarding our postretirement benefit plans can be found under the caption “Note 12: Postretirement benefits” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.
	Postretirement benefit income for each period consisted of the following components:
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Interest cost	$	1,138		$	913
	Expected return on plan assets	(2,183		)	(2,008		)
	Amortization of prior service credit	(355		)	(355		)
	Amortization of net actuarial losses	854			1,110
	Net periodic benefit income	$	(546	)	$	(340	)

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	Debt outstanding was comprised of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	7.0% senior notes due March 15, 2019	$	200,000		$	200,000
	6.0% senior notes due November 15, 2020(1)	186,249			183,761
	Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	1,693			1,354
	Long-term portion of debt	387,942			385,115
	5.125% senior, unsecured notes due October 1, 2014, net of discount(2)	254,544			255,026
	Capital lease obligations due within one year	718			563
	Total debt	$	643,204		$	640,704
	(1) Includes decrease due to cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt of $13,751 as of March 31, 2014 and $16,239 as of December 31, 2013.
	(2) Includes increase due to cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt of $1,073 as of March 31, 2014 and $1,569 as of December 31, 2013.
	Discounts from par value are being amortized ratably as increases to interest expense over the term of the related debt.
	All of our notes include covenants that place certain restrictions on the issuance of additional debt and limitations on certain liens. If our ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) to interest expense, as defined in such instruments, falls below two to one, there would be additional limitations on our ability to issue additional debt. The notes due in 2020 and 2019 also include limitations on our ability to issue redeemable stock and preferred stock, make loans and investments, and consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets. Absent certain defined events of default under our debt instruments, and as long as our ratio of EBITDA to interest expense is in excess of two to one, our debt covenants do not restrict our ability to pay cash dividends at our current rate. There are currently no limitations on the amount of dividends and share repurchases under the terms of our amended credit facility agreement executed in February 2014. However, if our leverage ratio, defined in the agreement as total debt less unrestricted cash to EBITDA, should exceed 2.75 to one, there would be an annual limitation on the amount of dividends and share repurchases under the terms of the credit facility.
	In November 2012, we issued $200,000 of 6.0% senior notes maturing on November 15, 2020. The notes were issued via a private placement under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These notes were subsequently registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) via a registration statement which became effective on April 3, 2013. Interest payments are due each May and November. The notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and place a limitation on restricted payments, including share repurchases and increases in dividend levels. The limitation on restricted payments does not apply if the notes are upgraded to an investment-grade credit rating. Financial information for the guarantor subsidiaries can be found in Note 15. At any time prior to November 15, 2015, we may on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of one or more equity offerings at a redemption price of 106% of the principal amount of the notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest. At any time prior to November 15, 2016, we may also redeem some or all of the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium. At any time on or after November 15, 2016, we may redeem some or all of the notes at prices ranging from 100% to 103% of the principal amount. If at any time we sell certain of our assets or experience specific types of changes in control, we must offer to purchase all of the outstanding notes at 101% of the principal amount. Proceeds from the offering, net of offering costs, were $196,340. These proceeds were used to retire our senior notes which were due in June 2015. The fair value of the notes issued in November 2012 was $208,706 as of March 31, 2014, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets. As discussed in Note 7, we have entered into interest rate swaps to hedge these notes.
	In March 2011, we issued $200,000 of 7.0% senior notes maturing on March 15, 2019. The notes were issued via a private placement under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These notes were subsequently registered with the SEC via a registration statement which became effective on January 10, 2012. Interest payments are due each March and September. The notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and place a limitation on restricted payments, including share repurchases and increases in dividend levels. The limitation on restricted payments does not apply if the notes are upgraded to an investment-grade credit rating. Financial information for the guarantor subsidiaries can be found in Note 15. At any time prior to March 15, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium. At any time on or after March 15, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the notes at prices ranging from 100% to 103.5% of the principal amount. If at any time we sell certain of our assets or experience specific types of changes in control, we must offer to purchase all of the outstanding notes at 101% of the principal amount. Proceeds from the offering, net of offering costs, were $196,195. These proceeds were used to retire a portion of our senior, unsecured notes due in 2012. The fair value of the notes issued in March 2011 was $217,772 as of March 31, 2014, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets.
	In October 2004, we issued $275,000 of 5.125% senior, unsecured notes maturing on October 1, 2014. The notes were issued via a private placement under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These notes were subsequently registered with the SEC via a registration statement which became effective on November 23, 2004. Interest payments are due each April and October. Proceeds from the offering, net of offering costs, were $272,276. These proceeds were used to repay commercial paper borrowings used for the acquisition of New England Business Service, Inc. in 2004. During 2011, we retired $10,000 of these notes and during 2009, we retired $11,500 of these notes. As of March 31, 2014, the fair value of the $253,500 remaining notes outstanding was $257,508, based on quoted prices for identical liabilities when traded as assets. As discussed in Note 7, we have entered into interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of these notes.
	We had capital lease obligations of $2,411 as of March 31, 2014 and $1,917 as of December 31, 2013 related to information technology hardware. The lease obligations will be paid through January 2018. The related assets are included in property, plant and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets. Depreciation of the leased assets is included in depreciation expense in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
	As of December 31, 2013, we had a $200,000 credit facility which was scheduled to expire in February 2017. In February 2014, we modified the terms of this credit facility, increasing the amount available for borrowing to $350,000 and extending the term to February 2019. Our commitment fee under the amended agreement ranges from 0.20% to 0.40% based on our leverage ratio. Borrowings under the credit facility are collateralized by substantially all of our personal and intangible property. The credit agreement governing the credit facility contains customary covenants regarding limits on levels of subsidiary indebtedness and capital expenditures, liens, investments, acquisitions, certain mergers, certain asset sales outside the ordinary course of business, and change in control as defined in the agreement. The agreement also contains financial covenants regarding our leverage ratio, interest coverage and liquidity. No amounts were outstanding under our credit facility during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 or during 2013. As of March 31, 2014, amounts were available for borrowing under our credit facility as follows:
		Total
		available
	Credit facility commitment	$	350,000
	Outstanding letters of credit(1)	(8,915		)
	Net available for borrowing as of March 31, 2014	$	341,085
	(1) We use standby letters of credit primarily to collateralize certain obligations related to our self-insured workers’ compensation claims. These letters of credit reduce the amount available for borrowing under our credit facility.

Other_commitments_and_continge

Other commitments and contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other commitments and contingencies	'
	Other commitments and contingencies
	Indemnifications – In the normal course of business, we periodically enter into agreements that incorporate general indemnification language. These indemnifications encompass third-party claims arising from our products and services, including service failures, breach of security, intellectual property rights, governmental regulations and/or employment-related matters. Performance under these indemnities would generally be triggered by our breach of the terms of the contract. In disposing of assets or businesses, we often provide representations, warranties and/or indemnities to cover various risks including, for example, unknown damage to the assets, environmental risks involved in the sale of real estate, liability to investigate and remediate environmental contamination at waste disposal sites and manufacturing facilities, and unidentified tax liabilities and legal fees related to periods prior to disposition. We do not have the ability to estimate the potential liability from such indemnities because they relate to unknown conditions. However, we have no reason to believe that any possible liability under these indemnities would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, annual results of operations or annual cash flows. We have recorded liabilities for known indemnifications related to environmental matters.
	Environmental matters – We are currently involved in environmental compliance, investigation and remediation activities at some of our current and former sites, primarily printing facilities of our Financial Services and Small Business Services segments which have been sold. Remediation costs are accrued on an undiscounted basis when the obligations are either known or considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. Remediation or testing costs that result directly from the sale of an asset and which we would not have otherwise incurred are considered direct costs of the sale of the asset. As such, they are included in our measurement of the carrying value of the asset sold.
	Accruals for environmental matters were $8,312 as of March 31, 2014 and $8,294 as of December 31, 2013, primarily related to facilities which have been sold. These accruals are included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Accrued costs consist of direct costs of the remediation activities, primarily fees which will be paid to outside engineering and consulting firms. Although recorded accruals include our best estimates, our total costs cannot be predicted with certainty due to various factors such as the extent of corrective action that may be required, evolving environmental laws and regulations and advances in environmental technology. Where the available information is sufficient to estimate the amount of the liability, that estimate is used. Where the information is only sufficient to establish a range of probable liability and no point within the range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the range is recorded. We do not believe that the range of possible outcomes could have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Expense reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for environmental matters was $269 for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and $447 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.
	As of March 31, 2014, $3,953 of the costs included in our environmental accruals were covered by an environmental insurance policy which we purchased during 2002. The insurance policy covers up to $12,911 of remediation costs, of which $8,958 had been paid through March 31, 2014. This insurance policy does not cover properties acquired subsequent to 2002. However, costs included in our environmental accruals for such properties were not material as of March 31, 2014. We do not anticipate significant net cash outlays for environmental matters in 2014. The insurance policy also covers up to $10,000 of third-party claims through 2032 at certain owned, leased and divested sites. We consider the realization of recovery under the insurance policy to be probable based on the insurance contract in place with a reputable and financially-sound insurance company. As our environmental accruals include our best estimates of these costs, we have recorded receivables from the insurance company within other current assets and other non-current assets based on the amounts of our environmental accruals for insured sites.
	We also have an additional environmental site liability insurance policy providing coverage on facilities which we acquired subsequent to 2002. This policy covers liability for claims of bodily injury or property damage arising from pollution events at the covered facilities. The policy also provides remediation coverage should we be required by a governing authority to perform remediation activities at the covered sites. The policy provides coverage of up to $15,000 through April 2019. No accruals have been recorded in our consolidated financial statements for any of the events contemplated in this insurance policy.
	Self-insurance – We are self-insured for certain costs, primarily workers' compensation claims and medical and dental benefits. The liabilities associated with these items represent our best estimate of the ultimate obligations for reported claims plus those incurred, but not reported. The liability for workers' compensation, which totaled $4,777 as of March 31, 2014 and $4,560 as of December 31, 2013, is accounted for on a discounted basis. The difference between the discounted and undiscounted workers' compensation liability was not significant as of March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013. We record liabilities for medical and dental benefits for active employees and those employees on long-term disability. Our liability for active employees is not recorded on a discounted basis as we expect the benefits to be paid in a relatively short period of time. Our liability for those employees on long-term disability is accounted for on a discounted basis. Our total liability for these medical and dental benefits totaled $3,300 as of March 31, 2014 and $3,322 as of December 31, 2013. The difference between the discounted and undiscounted medical and dental liability was $149 as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Our self-insurance liabilities are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors and other actuarial assumptions. The estimated accruals for these liabilities could be significantly affected if future events and claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends.

Shareholders_equity

Shareholders' equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' equity	'
	Shareholders’ equity
	We have an outstanding authorization from our board of directors to purchase up to 10,000 shares of our common stock. This authorization has no expiration date, and 2,473 shares remained available for purchase under this authorization as of March 31, 2014. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we repurchased 623 shares for $31,930.

Business_segment_information

Business segment information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business segment information	'
	Business segment information
	We operate three reportable business segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services and Direct Checks. Our business segments are generally organized by type of customer served and reflect the way we manage the company. Small Business Services promotes and sells products and services to small businesses via direct response mail and internet advertising, referrals from financial institutions and telecommunications clients, Safeguard distributors. a network of local dealers, a direct sales force which focuses on major accounts, and an outbound telemarketing group. Financial Services' products and services are sold primarily through a direct sales force, which executes supply contracts with our financial institution clients nationwide, including banks, credit unions and financial services companies. Once the financial institution relationship is established, consumers may submit their check orders through their financial institution or over the phone or internet. Direct Checks sells products and services directly to consumers using direct response marketing, including print advertising and search engine marketing and optimization strategies. All three segments operate primarily in the United States. Small Business Services also has operations in Canada and portions of Europe. Our product and service offerings are comprised of the following:
	Checks – We remain one of the largest providers of checks in the United States, both in terms of revenue and the number of checks produced. Checks account for the majority of the revenue in our Financial Services and Direct Checks segments and represented 43.2% of our Small Business Services segment's revenue in 2013.
	Forms – Our Small Business Services segment provides printed forms to small businesses, including deposit tickets, billing forms, work orders, job proposals, purchase orders, invoices and personnel forms. This segment also offers computer forms compatible with accounting software packages commonly used by small businesses. Forms sold by our Financial Services and Direct Checks segments include deposit tickets and check registers.
	Accessories and other products – Small Business Services provides products designed to provide small business owners with the customized documents necessary to efficiently manage their business including envelopes, office supplies, stamps and labels, as well as retail packaging supplies. Our Financial Services and Direct Checks segments offer checkbook covers and stamps.
	Marketing solutions – All three of our segments offer products and services that help small businesses and/or financial institutions promote their businesses and acquire customers. Our Small Business Services segment offers services designed to fulfill the sales and marketing needs of small businesses, including web design, hosting and other web services; search engine optimization; marketing services, including email, mobile, social media and other self-service marketing solutions; digital printing services; and logo design. In addition, Small Business Services offers products such as promotional products, postcards, brochures, apparel, greeting cards and business cards. Financial Services offers various customer acquisition programs, marketing communications services, and rewards and loyalty programs. Direct Checks provides package insert programs under which companies' marketing materials are included in our check packages.
	Other services – All three of our segments provide fraud protection and security services. In addition, our Small Business Services segment offers payroll services and health care enrollment solutions, and Financial Services provides financial institution profitability and risk management services.
	The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2013 Form 10-K. We allocate corporate costs for our shared services functions to our business segments, including costs of our executive management, human resources, supply chain, finance, information technology and legal functions. Generally, where costs incurred are directly attributable to a business segment, primarily within the areas of information technology, supply chain and finance, those costs are charged directly to that segment. Because we use a shared services approach for many of our functions, certain costs are not directly attributable to a business segment. These costs are allocated to our business segments based on segment revenue, as revenue is a measure of the relative size and magnitude of each segment and indicates the level of corporate shared services consumed by each segment. Corporate assets are not allocated to the segments and consist of property, plant and equipment, internal-use software, inventories and supplies related to our corporate shared services functions of manufacturing, information technology and real estate, as well as long-term investments.
	We are an integrated enterprise, characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations and the sharing of assets. Therefore, we do not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the operating income and other financial information shown.
	The following is our segment information as of and for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
			Reportable Business Segments
			Small Business Services		Financial Services		Direct Checks		Corporate		Consolidated
	Total revenue from external	2014	$	269,843	$	89,113	$	47,999	$	—	$	406,955
	customers:	2013	248,318		87,131		52,104		—		387,553
	Operating income:	2014	43,591		21,629		15,576		—		80,796
		2013	38,597		22,937		16,199		—		77,733
	Depreciation and amortization	2014	11,346		3,202		1,717		—		16,265
	expense:	2013	11,223		2,695		1,981		—		15,899
	Total assets:	2014	930,020		101,865		166,501		365,946		1,564,332
		2013	873,017		90,840		168,985		308,968		1,441,810
	Capital asset purchases:	2014	—		—		—		10,950		10,950
		2013	—		—		—		8,304		8,304

Supplemental_guarantor_financi

Supplemental guarantor financial information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental guarantor financial information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental guarantor financial information	'
	Supplemental guarantor financial information
	Our long-term notes due in 2019 and 2020 (Note 11), as well as obligations under our credit facility, are jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis, subject to the release provisions described herein, by certain 100%-owned subsidiaries. The subsidiary guarantees with respect to our long-term notes are subject to release upon the occurrence of certain events: the sale of all or substantially all of a subsidiary's assets, when the requirements for defeasance of the guaranteed securities have been satisfied, when the subsidiary is declared an unrestricted subsidiary, or upon satisfaction and discharge of the indenture.
	The following condensed supplemental consolidating financial information reflects the summarized financial information of Deluxe Corporation, the guarantors on a combined basis and the non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis. Separate financial statements of the guarantors are not presented because the guarantors are jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally liable under the guarantees, subject to the release provisions described herein, and we believe that the condensed consolidating financial statements presented are sufficient to provide an understanding of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the guarantors. During the third quarter of 2013, additional subsidiaries were designated as guarantor entities. As such, the presentation of prior period information for the guarantor subsidiaries, the non-guarantor subsidiaries and eliminations was modified to reflect these entities as guarantors for all periods presented.
	We are an integrated enterprise, characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations and the sharing of assets. Therefore, we do not represent that the financial information presented is indicative of the financial position, results of operations or cash flows which the entities would have reported if they had operated independently. The condensed consolidating financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements.
	Deluxe Corporation
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	(Unaudited)
		March 31, 2014
		Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	82,204		$	13,839		$	45,013		$	(441	)	$	140,615
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			63,646			14,328			—			77,974
	Inventories and supplies	—			24,714			4,620			—			29,334
	Deferred income taxes	3,739			2,812			25			—			6,576
	Funds held for customers	—			—			31,811			—			31,811
	Other current assets	10,857			18,066			3,561			—			32,484
	Total current assets	96,800			123,077			99,358			(441		)	318,794
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			1,781			—			1,781
	Long-term investments	37,432			7,268			—			—			44,700
	Property, plant and equipment, net	5,269			85,878			7,486			—			98,633
	Assets held for sale	—			4,035			22,317			—			26,352
	Intangibles, net	124			152,981			2,188			—			155,293
	Goodwill	—			821,138			1,806			—			822,944
	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	1,206,177			83,414			—			(1,289,591		)	—
	Intercompany receivable	—			69,158			—			(69,158		)	—
	Other non-current assets	11,988			83,326			521			—			95,835
	Total assets	$	1,357,790		$	1,430,275		$	135,457		$	(1,359,190	)	$	1,564,332
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	12,072		$	53,068		$	4,654		$	(441	)	$	69,353
	Accrued liabilities	42,606			68,610			37,836			—			149,052
	Long-term debt due within one year	255,262			—			—			—			255,262
	Total current liabilities	309,940			121,678			42,490			(441		)	473,667
	Long-term debt	387,942			—			—			—			387,942
	Deferred income taxes	1,403			82,221			—			—			83,624
	Intercompany payable	68,387			—			771			(69,158		)	—
	Other non-current liabilities	31,125			20,199			8,782			—			60,106
	Total shareholders' equity	558,993			1,206,177			83,414			(1,289,591		)	558,993
	Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,357,790		$	1,430,275		$	135,457		$	(1,359,190	)	$	1,564,332
	Deluxe Corporation
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	(Unaudited)
		December 31, 2013
		Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	71,972		$	6,991		$	45,229		$	(3,103	)	$	121,089
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			70,317			17,732			—			88,049
	Inventories and supplies	—			24,173			4,793			—			28,966
	Deferred income taxes	2,698			4,198			50			—			6,946
	Funds held for customers	—			—			42,425			—			42,425
	Other current assets	8,266			20,118			3,454			—			31,838
	Total current assets	82,936			125,797			113,683			(3,103		)	319,313
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			1,851			—			1,851
	Long-term investments	35,155			9,296			—			—			44,451
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			93,472			7,871			—			101,343
	Assets held for sale	—			4,046			21,405			—			25,451
	Intangibles, net	—			151,361			2,215			—			153,576
	Goodwill	—			820,898			1,879			—			822,777
	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	1,155,705			82,918			—			(1,238,623		)	—
	Intercompany receivable	—			39,192			1,373			(40,565		)	—
	Other non-current assets	8,077			92,461			229			—			100,767
Total assets	$	1,281,873		$	1,419,441		$	150,506		$	(1,282,291	)	$	1,569,529
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	11,831		$	54,655		$	8,109		$	(3,103	)	$	71,492
Accrued liabilities	13,794			97,577			51,619			—			162,990
Long-term debt due within one year	255,589			—			—			—			255,589
Total current liabilities	281,214			152,232			59,728			(3,103		)	490,071
Long-term debt	385,115			—			—			—			385,115
Deferred income taxes	2,821			79,993			—			—			82,814
Intercompany payable	40,565			—			—			(40,565		)	—
Other non-current liabilities	21,701			31,511			7,860			—			61,072
Total shareholders' equity	550,457			1,155,705			82,918			(1,238,623		)	550,457
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,281,873		$	1,419,441		$	150,506		$	(1,282,291	)	$	1,569,529
Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
	Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
	Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Product revenue	$	—		$	322,649		$	23,015		$	—		$	345,664
Service revenue	21,570			55,532			8,061			(23,872		)	61,291
Total revenue	21,570			378,181			31,076			(23,872		)	406,955
Cost of products sold	—			(106,666		)	(11,720		)	—			(118,386		)
Cost of services	(24,051		)	(24,431		)	(3,076		)	25,016			(26,542		)
Total cost of revenue	(24,051		)	(131,097		)	(14,796		)	25,016			(144,928		)
Gross profit	(2,481		)	247,084			16,280			1,144			262,027
Operating expenses	—			(167,766		)	(12,321		)	(1,144		)	(181,231		)
Operating (loss) income	(2,481		)	79,318			3,959			—			80,796
Interest expense	(9,466		)	(3,422		)	—			3,321			(9,567		)
Other income	2,603			672			177			(3,321		)	131
(Loss) income before income taxes	(9,344		)	76,568			4,136			—			71,360
Income tax benefit (provision)	3,706			(26,554		)	(1,188		)	—			(24,036		)
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(5,638		)	50,014			2,948			—			47,324
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	52,962			2,948			—			(55,910		)	—
Net income	$	47,324		$	52,962		$	2,948		$	(55,910	)	$	47,324
Comprehensive income	$	45,455		$	50,795		$	459		$	(51,254	)	$	45,455
Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
	Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
	Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Product revenue	$	—		$	325,890		$	13,985		$	—		$	339,875
Service revenue	2,175			42,594			6,728			(3,819		)	47,678
Total revenue	2,175			368,484			20,713			(3,819		)	387,553
Cost of products sold	—			(107,092		)	(5,178		)	—			(112,270		)
Cost of services	(1,338		)	(19,016		)	(2,209		)	1,536			(21,027		)
Total cost of revenue	(1,338		)	(126,108		)	(7,387		)	1,536			(133,297		)
Gross profit	837			242,376			13,326			(2,283		)	254,256
Operating expenses	—			(168,560		)	(10,246		)	2,283			(176,523		)
Operating income	837			73,816			3,080			—			77,733
Interest expense	(9,468		)	(1,843		)	—			1,832			(9,479		)
Other income (expense)	1,721			(289		)	750			(1,832		)	350
(Loss) income before income taxes	(6,910		)	71,684			3,830			—			68,604
Income tax benefit (provision)	3,649			(25,233		)	(1,145		)	—			(22,729		)
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(3,261		)	46,451			2,685			—			45,875
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	49,136			2,685			—			(51,821		)	—
Net income	$	45,875		$	49,136		$	2,685		$	(51,821	)	$	45,875
Comprehensive income	$	45,250		$	48,244		$	1,274		$	(49,518	)	$	45,250
Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
	Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
	Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	19,972		$	50,290		$	415		$	2,662		$	73,339
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of capital assets	(92		)	(10,058		)	(800		)	—			(10,950		)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(2,866		)	—			—			(2,866		)
Other	226			577			3			—			806
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	134			(12,347		)	(797		)	—			(13,010		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments on short-term debt	—			(125		)	—			—			(125		)
Payments on long-term debt	(183		)	(20		)	—			—			(203		)
Payments for debt issue costs	(939		)	—			—			—			(939		)
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans	5,376			—			—			—			5,376
Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards	1,401			—			—			—			1,401
Payments for common shares repurchased	(31,930		)	—			—			—			(31,930		)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(12,644		)	—			—			—			(12,644		)
Advances from (to) consolidated subsidiaries	29,045			(30,950		)	1,905			—			—
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(9,874		)	(31,095		)	1,905			—			(39,064		)
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(1,739		)	—			(1,739		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	10,232			6,848			(216		)	2,662			19,526
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	71,972			6,991			45,229			(3,103		)	121,089
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	82,204		$	13,839		$	45,013		$	(441	)	$	140,615
Deluxe Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
	Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
	Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	13,340		$	34,143		$	3,985		$	—		$	51,468
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of capital assets	—			(7,996		)	(308		)	—			(8,304		)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(1,360		)	—			—			(1,360		)
Other	(80		)	(96		)	3			—			(173		)
Net cash used by investing activities	(80		)	(9,452		)	(305		)	—			(9,837		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments for debt issue costs	(138		)	—			—			—			(138		)
Change in book overdrafts	25			(2,302		)	—			2,332			55
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans	8,987			—			—			—			8,987
Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards	915			—			—			—			915
Payments for common shares repurchased	(12,609		)	—			—			—			(12,609		)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(12,731		)	—			—			—			(12,731		)
Advances from (to) consolidated subsidiaries	25,013			(24,290		)	(723		)	—			—
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	9,462			(26,592		)	(723		)	2,332			(15,521		)
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(804		)	—			(804		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	22,722			(1,901		)	2,153			2,332			25,306
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	14,862			3,228			31,346			(4,001		)	45,435
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	37,584		$	1,327		$	33,499		$	(1,669	)	$	70,741

New_accounting_pronouncements_

New accounting pronouncements (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
New accounting pronouncements	'
	New accounting pronouncements
	On January 1, 2014, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This standard provides guidance regarding when an unrecognized tax benefit should be classified as a reduction to a deferred tax asset or when it should be classified as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet. Adoption of this standard resulted in an increase of $669 in non-current deferred income tax liabilities and a corresponding decrease in other non-current liabilities.
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This standard changes the criteria for determining which disposals should be presented as discontinued operations and modifies the related disclosure requirements. Additionally, the new guidance requires that a business which qualifies as held for sale upon acquisition should be reported as discontinued operations. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2015 and applies prospectively to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groups as held for sale after the effective date. We are currently assessing the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

Longterm_investments_Policies

Long-term investments (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Long-term investments	'
	We have elected to account for a long-term investment in domestic mutual funds under the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities. The fair value option provides companies an irrevocable option to measure many financial assets and liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The investment is included in long-term investments in the consolidated balance sheets. Long-term investments also include the cash surrender values of company-owned life insurance policies. Realized and unrealized gains and losses, as well as dividends earned by the mutual fund investment, are included in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. This investment corresponds to a liability under an officers’ deferred compensation plan which is not available to new participants and is fully funded by the investment in mutual funds. The liability under the plan equals the fair value of the investment in mutual funds. Thus, as the value of the investment changes, the value of the liability changes accordingly. As changes in the liability are reflected within SG&A expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, the fair value option of accounting for the investment in mutual funds allows us to net changes in the investment and the related liability in the statements of comprehensive income. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method.

Recurring_fair_value_measureme

Recurring fair value measurements (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value transfers	'
	Our policy is to recognize transfers between fair value levels as of the end of the reporting period in which the transfer occurred.

Supplemental_balance_sheet_inf1

Supplemental balance sheet information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Inventories and supplies	'
	Inventories and supplies – Inventories and supplies were comprised of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	5,571		$	5,426
	Semi-finished goods	8,137			8,361
	Finished goods	12,520			11,948
	Supplies	3,106			3,231
	Inventories and supplies	$	29,334		$	28,966
Availabe-for-sale securities	'
	Available-for-sale securities – Available-for-sale securities included within cash and cash equivalents, funds held for customers and other current assets were comprised of the following:
		March 31, 2014
		Cost			Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses			Fair value
	Money market securities (cash equivalents)	$	56,001		$	—		$	—		$	56,001
	Canadian and provincial government securities (funds held for customers)(1)	9,580			—			(240		)	9,340
	Canadian money market fund (other current assets)	1,974			—			—			1,974
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	67,555		$	—		$	(240	)	$	67,315
	(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014, also included cash of $22,471.
		December 31, 2013
		Cost			Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses			Fair value
	Money market securities (cash equivalents)	$	70,001		$	—		$	—		$	70,001
	Funds held for customers:
	Canadian and provincial government securities	9,901			—			(343		)	9,558
	Canadian guaranteed investment certificate	5,178			—			—			5,178
	Available-for-sale securities (funds held for customers)(1)	15,079			—			(343		)	14,736
	Canadian money market fund (other current assets)	2,045			—			—			2,045
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	87,125		$	—		$	(343	)	$	86,782
	(1) Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, also included cash of $27,689.
Expected maturities of available-for-sale securities	'
	Expected maturities of available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2014 were as follows:
		Fair value
	Due in one year or less	$	57,975
	Due in two to five years	4,913
	Due in six to ten years	4,427
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	67,315
Assets held for sale	'
	Net assets held for sale consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,			Balance sheet caption
		2014			2013
	Current assets	$	216		$	727		Other current assets
	Intangibles	25,527			24,603			Assets held for sale
	Other non-current assets	825			848			Assets held for sale
	Accrued liabilities	(856		)	(733		)	Accrued liabilities
	Non-current deferred income tax liabilities	(8,735		)	(7,821		)	Other non-current liabilities
	Other non-current liabilities	(40		)	(32		)	Other non-current liabilities
	Net assets held for sale	$	16,937		$	17,592
Intangibles	'
	Intangibles – Intangibles were comprised of the following:
		March 31, 2014									December 31, 2013
		Gross carrying amount			Accumulated amortization			Net carrying amount			Gross carrying amount			Accumulated amortization			Net carrying amount
	Indefinite-lived:
	Trade name	$	19,100		$	—		$	19,100		$	19,100		$	—		$	19,100
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Internal-use software	352,135			(283,815		)	68,320			339,995			(275,159		)	64,836
	Trade names	67,761			(34,568		)	33,193			67,961			(33,642		)	34,319
	Customer lists/relationships	65,292			(32,817		)	32,475			63,282			(31,606		)	31,676
	Other	8,124			(5,919		)	2,205			9,324			(5,679		)	3,645
	Amortizable intangibles	493,312			(357,119		)	136,193			480,562			(346,086		)	134,476
	Intangibles	$	512,412		$	(357,119	)	$	155,293		$	499,662		$	(346,086	)	$	153,576
Estimated future amortization expense	'
	Based on the intangibles in service as of March 31, 2014, estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
		Estimated
		amortization
		expense
	Remainder of 2014	$	30,661
	2015	32,825
	2016	20,804
	2017	10,918
	2018	7,525
Acquired intangibles	'
	The following intangible assets were acquired during the quarter ended March 31, 2014:
		Amount			Weighted-average amortization period
					(in years)
	Internal-use software	$	12,218		4
	Customer lists/relationships	2,891			9
	Acquired intangibles	$	15,109		5
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill – Changes in goodwill during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
		Small			Financial			Direct			Total
		Business			Services			Checks
		Services
	Balance, December 31, 2013:
	Goodwill, gross	$	652,554		$	41,717		$	148,506		$	842,777
	Accumulated impairment charges	(20,000		)	—			—			(20,000		)
	Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges	632,554			41,717			148,506			822,777
	Adjustment for acquisition of Destination Rewards, Inc. (Note 6)	—			(1,375		)	—			(1,375		)
	Acquisition of NetClime, Inc. (Note 6)	1,615			—			—			1,615
	Currency translation adjustment	(73		)	—			—			(73		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014:
	Goodwill, gross	654,096			40,342			148,506			842,944
	Accumulated impairment charges	(20,000		)	—			—			(20,000		)
	Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges	$	634,096		$	40,342		$	148,506		$	822,944
Other non-current assets	'
	Other non-current assets – Other non-current assets were comprised of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Contract acquisition costs	$	31,475		$	35,421
	Postretirement benefit plan asset	26,251			24,981
	Loans and notes receivable from distributors	15,610			16,162
	Deferred advertising costs	9,815			10,447
	Other	12,684			13,756
	Other non-current assets	$	95,835		$	100,767
Changes in contract acquisition costs	'
	Changes in contract acquisition costs during the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of year	$	35,421		$	43,036
	Additions(1)	425			4,269
	Amortization	(4,261		)	(4,102		)
	Other	(110		)	(133		)
	Balance, end of period	$	31,475		$	43,070
	(1) Contract acquisition costs are accrued upon contract execution. Cash payments made for contract acquisition costs were $1,355 for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and $3,177 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.
Accrued liabilities	'
	Accrued liabilities – Accrued liabilities were comprised of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Funds held for customers	$	31,068		$	41,810
	Income taxes	21,346			3,677
	Customer rebates	18,456			21,623
	Deferred revenue	16,253			16,897
	Interest	11,618			8,869
	Employee profit sharing/cash bonus	8,354			29,544
	Restructuring due within one year (Note 9)	4,100			5,609
	Contract acquisition costs due within one year	2,840			3,880
	Other	35,017			31,081
	Accrued liabilities	$	149,052		$	162,990

Earnings_per_share_Tables

Earnings per share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per share	'
	The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share. During each period, certain stock options, as noted below, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive.
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Earnings per share – basic:
	Net income	$	47,324		$	45,875
	Income allocated to participating securities	(200		)	(330		)
	Income available to common shareholders	$	47,124		$	45,545
	Weighted-average shares outstanding	50,228			50,707
	Earnings per share – basic	$	0.94		$	0.9
	Earnings per share – diluted:
	Net income	$	47,324		$	45,875
	Income allocated to participating securities	(198		)	(328		)
	Re-measurement of share-based awards classified as liabilities	(8		)	153
	Income available to common shareholders	$	47,118		$	45,700
	Weighted-average shares outstanding	50,228			50,707
	Dilutive impact of potential common shares	456			465
	Weighted-average shares and potential common shares outstanding	50,684			51,172
	Earnings per share – diluted	$	0.93		$	0.89
	Antidilutive options excluded from calculation	281			412

Other_comprehensive_income_Tab

Other comprehensive income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Reclassification adjustments	'
	Reclassification adjustments – Information regarding amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income was as follows:
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss components	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss						Affected line item in consolidated statements of comprehensive income
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Amortization of loss on interest rate locks(1)	(429		)	(412		)	Interest expense
	Tax benefit	168			152			Income tax provision
	Amortization of loss on interest rate locks, net of tax	(261		)	(260		)	Net income
	Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items:
	Prior service credit	$	355		$	355		(2)
	Net actuarial loss	(854		)	(1,110		)	(2)
	Total amortization	(499		)	(755		)	(2)
	Tax benefit	140			229			(2)
	Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items, net of tax	(359		)	(526		)	(2)
	Total reclassifications, net of tax	$	(620	)	$	(786	)
	(1) Relates to interest rate locks executed in 2004. See the caption "Note 6: Derivative financial instruments" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.
	(2) Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items is included in the computation of net periodic benefit income. Additional details can be found in Note 10: Postretirement benefits.
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss – Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:
		Postretirement benefit plans, net of tax			Loss on derivatives, net of tax(1)			Net unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax(2)			Currency translation adjustment			Accumulated other comprehensive loss
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	(34,874	)	$	(781	)	$	(276	)	$	2,507		$	(33,424	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	—			—			68			(2,557		)	(2,489		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	359			261			—			—			620
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	359			261			68			(2,557		)	(1,869		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	(34,515	)	$	(520	)	$	(208	)	$	(50	)	$	(35,293	)
	(1) Relates to interest rate locks executed in 2004. See the caption "Note 6: Derivative financial instruments" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.
	(2) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications is net of income tax expense of $24.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	'
	During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we made the following payments, net of cash acquired, for business acquisitions:
		Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
	NetClime, Inc.	$	1,988
	Small business distributors	628
	Other	250
	Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$	2,866

Derivative_financial_instrumen1

Derivative financial instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Interest rate swaps	'
	Information regarding interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2014 was as follows:
		Notional amount		Fair value of interest rate swaps			Increase (decrease) in debt due to fair value adjustment			Balance sheet caption including interest rate swaps
	Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2014	$	198,000	$	1,712		$	1,073		Other current assets
	Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2020	200,000		(13,751		)	(13,751		)	Other non-current liabilities
	Total fair value hedges	$	398,000	$	(12,039	)	$	(12,678	)
	Information regarding interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2013 was as follows:
		Notional amount		Fair value of interest rate swaps			Increase (decrease) in debt due to fair value adjustment			Balance sheet caption including interest rate swaps
	Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2014	$	198,000	$	2,158		$	1,569		Other current assets
	Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2020	200,000		(16,239		)	(16,239		)	Other non-current liabilities
	Total fair value hedges	$	398,000	$	(14,081	)	$	(14,670	)

Fair_value_measurements_Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Gain (loss) from derivative instruments	'
	The interest rate swaps related to our long-term debt due in 2020 meet the criteria for using the short-cut method for a fair value hedge based on the structure of the hedging relationship. As such, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and related long-term debt are equal. The short-cut method is not being used for our other interest rate swaps. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps, as well as changes in the fair value of the hedged debt, are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and were as follows:
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Gain (loss) from derivatives	$	2,042		$	(2,646	)
	(Loss) gain from change in fair value of hedged debt	(1,992		)	2,684
	Net decrease in interest expense	$	50		$	38
Recurring fair value measurements	'
	Information regarding recurring fair value measurements completed during each period was as follows:
					Fair value measurements using
		Fair value as of			Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets			Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs
		March 31, 2014			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (cash equivalents)	$	56,001		$	56,001		$	—		$	—
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (funds held for customers)	9,340			—			9,340			—
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (other current assets)	1,974			—			1,974			—
	Long-term investment in mutual funds	2,221			2,221			—			—
	Derivative assets	1,712			—			1,712			—
	Derivative liabilities	(13,751		)	—			(13,751		)	—
					Fair value measurements using
		Fair value as of			Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets			Significant other			Significant unobservable inputs
		31-Dec-13						observable inputs
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (cash equivalents)	$	70,001		$	70,001		$	—		$	—
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (funds held for customers)	14,736			—			14,736			—
	Available-for-sale marketable securities (other current assets)	2,045			—			2,045			—
	Long-term investment in mutual funds	2,407			2,407			—			—
	Derivative assets	2,158			—			2,158			—
	Derivative liabilities	(16,239		)	—			(16,239		)	—
Estimated fair values of other financial instruments	'
	The estimated fair values of these financial instruments were as follows:
								Fair value measurements using
		March 31, 2014						Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets			Significant other observable inputs		Significant unobservable inputs
		Carrying value			Fair value			(Level 1)			(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash (excluding cash equivalents)	$	84,614		$	84,614		$	84,614		$	—	$	—
	Cash (funds held for customers)	22,471			22,471			22,471			—		—
	Loans and notes receivable from distributors	17,504			16,806			—			—		16,806
	Long-term debt, including portion due within one year(1)	640,793			683,986			683,986			—		—
	(1) Amounts exclude capital lease obligations.
								Fair value measurements using
		December 31, 2013						Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets			Significant other observable inputs		Significant unobservable inputs
		Carrying value			Fair value			(Level 1)			(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash (excluding cash equivalents)	$	51,088		$	51,088		$	51,088		$	—	$	—
	Cash (funds held for customers)	27,689			27,689			27,689			—		—
	Loans and notes receivable from distributors	18,047			17,051			—			—		17,051
	Long-term debt, including portion due within one year(1)	638,787			684,133			684,133			—		—
	(1) Amounts exclude capital lease obligations.

Restructuring_charges_Tables

Restructuring charges (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Components of net restructuring charges	'
	Net restructuring charges for each period consisted of the following components:
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Severance accruals	$	1,545		$	990
	Severance reversals	(310		)	(299		)
	Operating lease obligation reversal	—			(157		)
	Net restructuring accruals	1,235			534
	Other costs	2,297			915
	Net restructuring charges	$	3,532		$	1,449
	The net restructuring charges are reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as follows:
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Total cost of revenue	$	232		$	78
	Operating expenses	3,300			1,371
	Net restructuring charges	$	3,532		$	1,449
Restructuring accruals, initiatives summarized by year	'
	Accruals for our restructuring initiatives, summarized by year, were as follows:
		2012			2013			2014 initiatives			Total
		initiatives			initiatives
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	409		$	5,229		$	—		$	5,638
	Restructuring charges	21			89			1,435			1,545
	Restructuring reversals	(3		)	(307		)	—			(310		)
	Payments	(224		)	(2,454		)	(95		)	(2,773		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	203		$	2,557		$	1,340		$	4,100
	Cumulative amounts:
	Restructuring charges	$	8,012		$	7,468		$	1,435		$	16,915
	Restructuring reversals	(1,354		)	(444		)	—			(1,798		)
	Payments	(6,455		)	(4,467		)	(95		)	(11,017		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	203		$	2,557		$	1,340		$	4,100
Restructuring accruals, by segment	'
	The components of our restructuring accruals, by segment, were as follows:
		Employee severance benefits												Operating lease obligations
		Small Business Services			Financial Services			Direct Checks						Small Business Services			Direct Checks			Total
											Corporate
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	1,624		$	1,991		$	365		$	1,508		$	150		$	—		$	5,638
	Restructuring charges	943			—			—			602			—			—			1,545
	Restructuring reversals	(222		)	(50		)	(6		)	(32		)	—			—			(310		)
	Payments	(1,012		)	(895		)	(200		)	(636		)	(30		)	—			(2,773		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	1,333		$	1,046		$	159		$	1,442		$	120		$	—		$	4,100
	Cumulative amounts(1):
	Restructuring charges	$	5,820		$	3,888		$	549		$	6,046		$	442		$	170		$	16,915
	Restructuring reversals	(663		)	(319		)	(28		)	(631		)	(157		)	—			(1,798		)
	Inter-segment transfer	—			—			(25		)	25			—			—			—
	Payments	(3,824		)	(2,523		)	(337		)	(3,998		)	(165		)	(170		)	(11,017		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	1,333		$	1,046		$	159		$	1,442		$	120		$	—		$	4,100
	(1) Includes accruals related to our cost reduction initiatives for 2012 through 2014.

Postretirement_benefits_Tables

Postretirement benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of net periodic benefit income	'
	Postretirement benefit income for each period consisted of the following components:
		Quarter Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Interest cost	$	1,138		$	913
	Expected return on plan assets	(2,183		)	(2,008		)
	Amortization of prior service credit	(355		)	(355		)
	Amortization of net actuarial losses	854			1,110
	Net periodic benefit income	$	(546	)	$	(340	)

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt outstanding	'
	Debt outstanding was comprised of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	7.0% senior notes due March 15, 2019	$	200,000		$	200,000
	6.0% senior notes due November 15, 2020(1)	186,249			183,761
	Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	1,693			1,354
	Long-term portion of debt	387,942			385,115
	5.125% senior, unsecured notes due October 1, 2014, net of discount(2)	254,544			255,026
	Capital lease obligations due within one year	718			563
	Total debt	$	643,204		$	640,704
	(1) Includes decrease due to cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt of $13,751 as of March 31, 2014 and $16,239 as of December 31, 2013.
	(2) Includes increase due to cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt of $1,073 as of March 31, 2014 and $1,569 as of December 31, 2013.
Credit facility, amounts available for borrowing	'
	As of March 31, 2014, amounts were available for borrowing under our credit facility as follows:
		Total
		available
	Credit facility commitment	$	350,000
	Outstanding letters of credit(1)	(8,915		)
	Net available for borrowing as of March 31, 2014	$	341,085
	(1) We use standby letters of credit primarily to collateralize certain obligations related to our self-insured workers’ compensation claims. These letters of credit reduce the amount available for borrowing under our credit facility.

Business_segment_information_T

Business segment information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business segment information	'
	The following is our segment information as of and for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
			Reportable Business Segments
			Small Business Services		Financial Services		Direct Checks		Corporate		Consolidated
	Total revenue from external	2014	$	269,843	$	89,113	$	47,999	$	—	$	406,955
	customers:	2013	248,318		87,131		52,104		—		387,553
	Operating income:	2014	43,591		21,629		15,576		—		80,796
		2013	38,597		22,937		16,199		—		77,733
	Depreciation and amortization	2014	11,346		3,202		1,717		—		16,265
	expense:	2013	11,223		2,695		1,981		—		15,899
	Total assets:	2014	930,020		101,865		166,501		365,946		1,564,332
		2013	873,017		90,840		168,985		308,968		1,441,810
	Capital asset purchases:	2014	—		—		—		10,950		10,950
		2013	—		—		—		8,304		8,304

Supplemental_guarantor_financi1

Supplemental guarantor financial information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental guarantor financial information [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	'
	Deluxe Corporation
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	(Unaudited)
		March 31, 2014
		Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	82,204		$	13,839		$	45,013		$	(441	)	$	140,615
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			63,646			14,328			—			77,974
	Inventories and supplies	—			24,714			4,620			—			29,334
	Deferred income taxes	3,739			2,812			25			—			6,576
	Funds held for customers	—			—			31,811			—			31,811
	Other current assets	10,857			18,066			3,561			—			32,484
	Total current assets	96,800			123,077			99,358			(441		)	318,794
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			1,781			—			1,781
	Long-term investments	37,432			7,268			—			—			44,700
	Property, plant and equipment, net	5,269			85,878			7,486			—			98,633
	Assets held for sale	—			4,035			22,317			—			26,352
	Intangibles, net	124			152,981			2,188			—			155,293
	Goodwill	—			821,138			1,806			—			822,944
	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	1,206,177			83,414			—			(1,289,591		)	—
	Intercompany receivable	—			69,158			—			(69,158		)	—
	Other non-current assets	11,988			83,326			521			—			95,835
	Total assets	$	1,357,790		$	1,430,275		$	135,457		$	(1,359,190	)	$	1,564,332
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	12,072		$	53,068		$	4,654		$	(441	)	$	69,353
	Accrued liabilities	42,606			68,610			37,836			—			149,052
	Long-term debt due within one year	255,262			—			—			—			255,262
	Total current liabilities	309,940			121,678			42,490			(441		)	473,667
	Long-term debt	387,942			—			—			—			387,942
	Deferred income taxes	1,403			82,221			—			—			83,624
	Intercompany payable	68,387			—			771			(69,158		)	—
	Other non-current liabilities	31,125			20,199			8,782			—			60,106
	Total shareholders' equity	558,993			1,206,177			83,414			(1,289,591		)	558,993
	Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,357,790		$	1,430,275		$	135,457		$	(1,359,190	)	$	1,564,332
	Deluxe Corporation
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	(Unaudited)
		December 31, 2013
		Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	71,972		$	6,991		$	45,229		$	(3,103	)	$	121,089
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			70,317			17,732			—			88,049
	Inventories and supplies	—			24,173			4,793			—			28,966
	Deferred income taxes	2,698			4,198			50			—			6,946
	Funds held for customers	—			—			42,425			—			42,425
	Other current assets	8,266			20,118			3,454			—			31,838
	Total current assets	82,936			125,797			113,683			(3,103		)	319,313
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			1,851			—			1,851
	Long-term investments	35,155			9,296			—			—			44,451
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			93,472			7,871			—			101,343
	Assets held for sale	—			4,046			21,405			—			25,451
	Intangibles, net	—			151,361			2,215			—			153,576
	Goodwill	—			820,898			1,879			—			822,777
	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	1,155,705			82,918			—			(1,238,623		)	—
	Intercompany receivable	—			39,192			1,373			(40,565		)	—
	Other non-current assets	8,077			92,461			229			—			100,767
	Total assets	$	1,281,873		$	1,419,441		$	150,506		$	(1,282,291	)	$	1,569,529
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	11,831		$	54,655		$	8,109		$	(3,103	)	$	71,492
Accrued liabilities	13,794			97,577			51,619			—			162,990
Long-term debt due within one year	255,589			—			—			—			255,589
Total current liabilities	281,214			152,232			59,728			(3,103		)	490,071
Long-term debt	385,115			—			—			—			385,115
Deferred income taxes	2,821			79,993			—			—			82,814
Intercompany payable	40,565			—			—			(40,565		)	—
Other non-current liabilities	21,701			31,511			7,860			—			61,072
Total shareholders' equity	550,457			1,155,705			82,918			(1,238,623		)	550,457
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,281,873		$	1,419,441		$	150,506		$	(1,282,291	)	$	1,569,529
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income	'
	Deluxe Corporation
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	(Unaudited)
		Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
		Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	Product revenue	$	—		$	322,649		$	23,015		$	—		$	345,664
	Service revenue	21,570			55,532			8,061			(23,872		)	61,291
	Total revenue	21,570			378,181			31,076			(23,872		)	406,955
	Cost of products sold	—			(106,666		)	(11,720		)	—			(118,386		)
	Cost of services	(24,051		)	(24,431		)	(3,076		)	25,016			(26,542		)
	Total cost of revenue	(24,051		)	(131,097		)	(14,796		)	25,016			(144,928		)
	Gross profit	(2,481		)	247,084			16,280			1,144			262,027
	Operating expenses	—			(167,766		)	(12,321		)	(1,144		)	(181,231		)
	Operating (loss) income	(2,481		)	79,318			3,959			—			80,796
	Interest expense	(9,466		)	(3,422		)	—			3,321			(9,567		)
	Other income	2,603			672			177			(3,321		)	131
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(9,344		)	76,568			4,136			—			71,360
	Income tax benefit (provision)	3,706			(26,554		)	(1,188		)	—			(24,036		)
	(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(5,638		)	50,014			2,948			—			47,324
	Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	52,962			2,948			—			(55,910		)	—
	Net income	$	47,324		$	52,962		$	2,948		$	(55,910	)	$	47,324
	Comprehensive income	$	45,455		$	50,795		$	459		$	(51,254	)	$	45,455
	Deluxe Corporation
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	(Unaudited)
		Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
		Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	Product revenue	$	—		$	325,890		$	13,985		$	—		$	339,875
	Service revenue	2,175			42,594			6,728			(3,819		)	47,678
	Total revenue	2,175			368,484			20,713			(3,819		)	387,553
	Cost of products sold	—			(107,092		)	(5,178		)	—			(112,270		)
	Cost of services	(1,338		)	(19,016		)	(2,209		)	1,536			(21,027		)
	Total cost of revenue	(1,338		)	(126,108		)	(7,387		)	1,536			(133,297		)
	Gross profit	837			242,376			13,326			(2,283		)	254,256
	Operating expenses	—			(168,560		)	(10,246		)	2,283			(176,523		)
	Operating income	837			73,816			3,080			—			77,733
	Interest expense	(9,468		)	(1,843		)	—			1,832			(9,479		)
	Other income (expense)	1,721			(289		)	750			(1,832		)	350
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(6,910		)	71,684			3,830			—			68,604
	Income tax benefit (provision)	3,649			(25,233		)	(1,145		)	—			(22,729		)
	(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(3,261		)	46,451			2,685			—			45,875
	Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	49,136			2,685			—			(51,821		)	—
	Net income	$	45,875		$	49,136		$	2,685		$	(51,821	)	$	45,875
	Comprehensive income	$	45,250		$	48,244		$	1,274		$	(49,518	)	$	45,250
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	'
	Deluxe Corporation
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	(Unaudited)
		Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
		Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	19,972		$	50,290		$	415		$	2,662		$	73,339
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchases of capital assets	(92		)	(10,058		)	(800		)	—			(10,950		)
	Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(2,866		)	—			—			(2,866		)
	Other	226			577			3			—			806
	Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	134			(12,347		)	(797		)	—			(13,010		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Net payments on short-term debt	—			(125		)	—			—			(125		)
	Payments on long-term debt	(183		)	(20		)	—			—			(203		)
	Payments for debt issue costs	(939		)	—			—			—			(939		)
	Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans	5,376			—			—			—			5,376
	Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards	1,401			—			—			—			1,401
	Payments for common shares repurchased	(31,930		)	—			—			—			(31,930		)
	Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(12,644		)	—			—			—			(12,644		)
	Advances from (to) consolidated subsidiaries	29,045			(30,950		)	1,905			—			—
	Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(9,874		)	(31,095		)	1,905			—			(39,064		)
	Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(1,739		)	—			(1,739		)
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	10,232			6,848			(216		)	2,662			19,526
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	71,972			6,991			45,229			(3,103		)	121,089
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	82,204		$	13,839		$	45,013		$	(441	)	$	140,615
	Deluxe Corporation
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	(Unaudited)
		Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
		Deluxe Corporation			Guarantor subsidiaries			Non-guarantor subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	13,340		$	34,143		$	3,985		$	—		$	51,468
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchases of capital assets	—			(7,996		)	(308		)	—			(8,304		)
	Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(1,360		)	—			—			(1,360		)
	Other	(80		)	(96		)	3			—			(173		)
	Net cash used by investing activities	(80		)	(9,452		)	(305		)	—			(9,837		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Payments for debt issue costs	(138		)	—			—			—			(138		)
	Change in book overdrafts	25			(2,302		)	—			2,332			55
	Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans	8,987			—			—			—			8,987
	Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards	915			—			—			—			915
	Payments for common shares repurchased	(12,609		)	—			—			—			(12,609		)
	Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(12,731		)	—			—			—			(12,731		)
	Advances from (to) consolidated subsidiaries	25,013			(24,290		)	(723		)	—			—
	Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	9,462			(26,592		)	(723		)	2,332			(15,521		)
	Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(804		)	—			(804		)
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	22,722			(1,901		)	2,153			2,332			25,306
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	14,862			3,228			31,346			(4,001		)	45,435
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	37,584		$	1,327		$	33,499		$	(1,669	)	$	70,741

New_accounting_pronouncements_1

New accounting pronouncements (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
Effect of adoption, increase in non-current deferred income tax liabilities and decrease in other non-current liabilities	$669

Supplemental_balance_sheet_inf2

Supplemental balance sheet information (inventories and supplies) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories and supplies	'	'
Raw materials	$5,571	$5,426
Semi-finished goods	8,137	8,361
Finished goods	12,520	11,948
Supplies	3,106	3,231
Inventories and supplies	$29,334	$28,966

Supplemental_balance_sheet_inf3

Supplemental balance sheet information (available-for-sale securities) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Available-for-sale securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost	$67,555		$87,125
Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	-240		-343
Fair value	67,315		86,782
Funds held for customers, cash	22,471		27,689
Expected maturities of available-for-sale securities	'		'
Due in one year or less	57,975		'
Due in two to five years	4,913		'
Due in six to ten years	4,427		'
Total available-for-sale securities	67,315		'
Funds held for customers [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost	'		15,079	[1]
Gross unrealized gains	'		0	[1]
Gross unrealized losses	'		-343	[1]
Fair value	'		14,736	[1]
Funds held for customers [Member] | Canadian and provincial government securities [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost	9,580	[2]	9,901
Gross unrealized gains	0	[2]	0
Gross unrealized losses	-240	[2]	-343
Fair value	9,340	[2]	9,558
Funds held for customers [Member] | Canadian guaranteed investment certificate [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost	'		5,178
Gross unrealized gains	'		0
Gross unrealized losses	'		0
Fair value	'		5,178
Cash equivalents [Member] | Money market securities [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost	56,001		70,001
Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Fair value	56,001		70,001
Other current assets [Member] | Canadian money market fund [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost	1,974		2,045
Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Fair value	$1,974		$2,045
[1]	Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of DecemberB 31, 2013, also included cash of $27,689.
[2]	Funds held for customers, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of MarchB 31, 2014, also included cash of $22,471.

Supplemental_balance_sheet_inf4

Supplemental balance sheet information (assets held for sale) (Details) (Assets held for sale [Member], Small business distributors [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets held for sale [Member] | Small business distributors [Member]	'	'
Assets held for sale [Line Items]	'	'
Current assets	$216	$727
Intangibles	25,527	24,603
Other non-current assets	825	848
Accrued liabilities	-856	-733
Non-current deferred income tax liabilities	-8,735	-7,821
Other non-current liabilities	-40	-32
Net assets held for sale	$16,937	$17,592

Supplemental_balance_sheet_inf5

Supplemental balance sheet information (intangibles) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangibles [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	$512,412	'	$499,662
Accumulated amortization	-357,119	'	-346,086
Intangibles, net	155,293	'	153,576
Estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]	'	'	'
Remainder of 2014	30,661	'	'
2015	32,825	'	'
2016	20,804	'	'
2017	10,918	'	'
2018	7,525	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	12,024	11,343	'
Indefinite-lived intangibles [Member] | Trade names [Member]	'	'	'
Intangibles [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	19,100	'	19,100
Intangibles, net	19,100	'	19,100
Amortizable intangibles [Member]	'	'	'
Intangibles [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	493,312	'	480,562
Accumulated amortization	-357,119	'	-346,086
Intangibles, net	136,193	'	134,476
Amount acquired	15,109	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period (in years)	'5 years	'	'
Amortizable intangibles [Member] | Internal-use software [Member]	'	'	'
Intangibles [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	352,135	'	339,995
Accumulated amortization	-283,815	'	-275,159
Intangibles, net	68,320	'	64,836
Amount acquired	12,218	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period (in years)	'4 years	'	'
Amortizable intangibles [Member] | Customer lists/relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Intangibles [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	65,292	'	63,282
Accumulated amortization	-32,817	'	-31,606
Intangibles, net	32,475	'	31,676
Amount acquired	2,891	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period (in years)	'9 years	'	'
Amortizable intangibles [Member] | Trade names [Member]	'	'	'
Intangibles [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	67,761	'	67,961
Accumulated amortization	-34,568	'	-33,642
Intangibles, net	33,193	'	34,319
Amortizable intangibles [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'	'
Intangibles [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	8,124	'	9,324
Accumulated amortization	-5,919	'	-5,679
Intangibles, net	$2,205	'	$3,645

Supplemental_balance_sheet_inf6

Supplemental balance sheet information (goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
		Destination Rewards, Inc. [Member]	Destination Rewards, Inc. [Member]	NetClime, Inc. [Member]	NetClime, Inc. [Member]	Small Business Services [Member]	Small Business Services [Member]	Financial Services [Member]	Financial Services [Member]	Direct Checks [Member]
							NetClime, Inc. [Member]		Destination Rewards, Inc. [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, gross, beginning of year	$842,777	'	'	'	'	$652,554	'	$41,717	'	$148,506
Accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	-20,000	'	'	'	'	-20,000	'	0	'	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, beginning of year	822,777	'	'	'	'	632,554	'	41,717	'	148,506
Goodwill acquired during period (Note 6)	'	11,705	'	1,615	1,615	'	1,615	'	'	'
Goodwill, purchase accounting adjustment (Note 6)	'	'	-1,375	'	'	'	'	'	-1,375	'
Currency translation adjustment	-73	'	'	'	'	-73	'	0	'	0
Goodwill, gross, end of period	842,944	'	'	'	'	654,096	'	40,342	'	148,506
Accumulated impairment charges, end of period	-20,000	'	'	'	'	-20,000	'	0	'	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges, end of period	$822,944	'	'	'	'	$634,096	'	$40,342	'	$148,506

Supplemental_balance_sheet_inf7

Supplemental balance sheet information (other) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Other non-current assets	'		'		'
Contract acquisition costs	$31,475		$43,070		'
Postretirement benefit plan asset	26,251		'		24,981
Loans and notes receivable from distributors	15,610		'		16,162
Deferred advertising costs	9,815		'		10,447
Other	12,684		'		13,756
Other non-current assets	95,835		'		100,767
Contract acquisition costs [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of year	35,421		43,036		'
Additions	425	[1]	4,269	[1]	'
Amortization	-4,261		-4,102		'
Other	-110		-133		'
Balance, end of period	31,475		43,070		'
Contract acquisition payments	1,355		3,177		'
Accrued liabilities	'		'		'
Funds held for customers	31,068		'		41,810
Income taxes	21,346		'		3,677
Customer rebates	18,456		'		21,623
Deferred revenue	16,253		'		16,897
Interest	11,618		'		8,869
Employee profit sharing/cash bonus	8,354		'		29,544
Restructuring due within one year (Note 9)	4,100		'		5,609
Contract acquisition costs due within one year	2,840		'		3,880
Other	35,017		'		31,081
Accrued liabilities	$149,052		'		$162,990
[1]	Contract acquisition costs are accrued upon contract execution. Cash payments made for contract acquisition costs were $1,355 for the quarter ended MarchB 31, 2014 and $3,177 for the quarter ended MarchB 31, 2013.

Earnings_per_share_Details

Earnings per share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings per share - basic:	'	'
Net income	$47,324	$45,875
Income allocated to participating securities	-200	-330
Income available to common shareholders	47,124	45,545
Weighted-average shares outstanding	50,228	50,707
Earnings per share - basic	$0.94	$0.90
Earnings per share - diluted:	'	'
Net income	47,324	45,875
Income allocated to participating securities	-198	-328
Re-measurement of share-based awards classified as liabilities	-8	153
Income available to common shareholders	$47,118	$45,700
Weighted-average shares outstanding	50,228	50,707
Dilutive impact of potential common shares	456	465
Weighted-average shares and potential common shares outstanding	50,684	51,172
Earnings per share - diluted	$0.93	$0.89
Antidilutive options excluded from calculation	281	412

Other_comprehensive_income_rec

Other comprehensive income (reclassification adjustments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassification adjustments [Line Items]	'		'
Interest expense	($9,567)		($9,479)
Income tax provision	-24,036		-22,729
Net income	47,324		45,875
Total reclassifications, net of tax	620		'
Amortization of loss on interest rate locks [Member]	'		'
Reclassification adjustments [Line Items]	'		'
Total reclassifications, net of tax	261	[1]	'
Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items [Member]	'		'
Reclassification adjustments [Line Items]	'		'
Total reclassifications, net of tax	359		'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member]	'		'
Reclassification adjustments [Line Items]	'		'
Total reclassifications, net of tax	-620		-786
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member] | Amortization of loss on interest rate locks [Member]	'		'
Reclassification adjustments [Line Items]	'		'
Interest expense	-429	[1]	-412	[1]
Income tax provision	168		152
Net income	-261		-260
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member] | Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items [Member]	'		'
Reclassification adjustments [Line Items]	'		'
Prior service credit	355	[2]	355	[2]
Net actuarial loss	-854	[2]	-1,110	[2]
Total amortization	-499	[2]	-755	[2]
Tax benefit	140	[2]	229	[2]
Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items, net of tax	($359)	[2]	($526)	[2]
[1]	Relates to interest rate locks executed in 2004. See the caption "Note 6: Derivative financial instruments" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.
[2]	Amortization of postretirement benefit plan items is included in the computation of net periodic benefit income. Additional details can be found in Note 10: Postretirement benefits.

Other_comprehensive_income_acc

Other comprehensive income (accumulated other comprehensive loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Line Items]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning of year	($33,424)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-2,489
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	620
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,869
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period	-35,293
Postretirement benefit plans, net of tax [Member]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Line Items]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning of year	-34,874
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	359
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	359
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period	-34,515
Loss on derivatives, net of tax [Member]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Line Items]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning of year	-781	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	261	[1]
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	261	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period	-520	[1]
Net unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax [Member]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Line Items]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning of year	-276
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	68	[2]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	68
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period	-208
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income before reclassifications	24
Currency translation adjustment [Member]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Line Items]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning of year	2,507
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-2,557
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,557
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period	($50)
[1]	Relates to interest rate locks executed in 2004. See the caption "Note 6: Derivative financial instruments" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in the 2013 Form 10-K.
[2]	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications is net of income tax expense of $24.

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

NetClime, Inc. [Member]

NetClime, Inc. [Member]

NetClime, Inc. [Member]

Small business distributors [Member]

Other [Member]

Destination Rewards, Inc. [Member]

Destination Rewards, Inc. [Member]

Destination Rewards, Inc. [Member]

Destination Rewards, Inc. [Member]

Destination Rewards, Inc. [Member]

Internal-use software [Member]

Customer lists/relationships [Member]

Internal-use software [Member]

Supplier relationships [Member]

Acquisitions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

$2,866

$1,360

'

$1,988

'

$628

$250

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

'

'

1,615

1,615

'

'

'

11,705

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, purchase accounting adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,375

'

'

'

Acquired intangible assets

'

'

'

'

$1,050

'

'

'

'

$4,400

$4,100

$1,100

Acquired intangible assets, weighted-average useful life

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'4 years

'5 years

Derivative_financial_instrumen2

Derivative financial instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative financial instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Notional amount	$398,000	$398,000
Fair value of interest rate swaps	-12,039	-14,081
Increase (decrease) in debt due to fair value adjustment	-12,678	-14,670
Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2014 [Member]	'	'
Derivative financial instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Notional amount	198,000	198,000
Fair value of interest rate swaps	1,712	2,158
Increase (decrease) in debt due to fair value adjustment	1,073	1,569
Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2020 [Member]	'	'
Derivative financial instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Notional amount	200,000	200,000
Fair value of interest rate swaps	-13,751	-16,239
Increase (decrease) in debt due to fair value adjustment	($13,751)	($16,239)

Fair_value_measurements_acquis

Fair value measurements (acquisitions) (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	NetClime, Inc. [Member]	Destination Rewards, Inc. [Member]	Destination Rewards, Inc. [Member]	Destination Rewards, Inc. [Member]
	Internal-use software [Member]	Customer lists/relationships [Member]	Internal-use software [Member]	Supplier relationships [Member]
Acquisitions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Acquired intangible assets	$1,050	$4,400	$4,100	$1,100

Fair_value_measurements_invest

Fair value measurements (investments and hedge ineffectiveness ) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Long-term Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Net unrealized losses on investment in mutual funds	$149	'
Fair value measurements, hedge ineffectiveness	'	'
Gain (loss) from derivatives	2,042	-2,646
(Loss) gain from change in fair value of hedged debt	-1,992	2,684
Net decrease in interest expense	50	38
Cash equivalents [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities [Line Items]	'	'
Realized gain/loss on available-for-sale securities	0	0
Other current assets [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities [Line Items]	'	'
Realized gain/loss on available-for-sale securities	$0	$0

Fair_value_measurements_recurr

Fair value measurements (recurring fair value measurements) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Recurring fair value measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale marketable securities (cash equivalents)	$56,001	$70,001
Available-for-sale marketable securities (funds held for customers)	9,340	14,736
Available-for-sale marketable securities (other current assets)	1,974	2,045
Long-term investment in mutual funds	2,221	2,407
Derivative assets	1,712	2,158
Derivative liabilities	-13,751	-16,239
Transfers between fair value levels	0	'
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Recurring fair value measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale marketable securities (cash equivalents)	56,001	70,001
Available-for-sale marketable securities (funds held for customers)	0	0
Available-for-sale marketable securities (other current assets)	0	0
Long-term investment in mutual funds	2,221	2,407
Derivative assets	0	0
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Recurring fair value measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale marketable securities (cash equivalents)	0	0
Available-for-sale marketable securities (funds held for customers)	9,340	14,736
Available-for-sale marketable securities (other current assets)	1,974	2,045
Long-term investment in mutual funds	0	0
Derivative assets	1,712	2,158
Derivative liabilities	-13,751	-16,239
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Recurring fair value measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale marketable securities (cash equivalents)	0	0
Available-for-sale marketable securities (funds held for customers)	0	0
Available-for-sale marketable securities (other current assets)	0	0
Long-term investment in mutual funds	0	0
Derivative assets	0	0
Derivative liabilities	$0	$0

Fair_value_measurements_other_

Fair value measurements (other financial instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying value [Member]	'		'
Fair value measurements, other financial instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Cash (excluding cash equivalents)	$84,614		$51,088
Cash (funds held for customers)	22,471		27,689
Loans and notes receivable from distributors	17,504		18,047
Long-term debt, including portion due within one year	640,793	[1]	638,787	[1]
Fair value [Member]	'		'
Fair value measurements, other financial instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Cash (excluding cash equivalents)	84,614		51,088
Cash (funds held for customers)	22,471		27,689
Loans and notes receivable from distributors	16,806		17,051
Long-term debt, including portion due within one year	683,986	[1]	684,133	[1]
Fair value [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]	'		'
Fair value measurements, other financial instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Cash (excluding cash equivalents)	84,614		51,088
Cash (funds held for customers)	22,471		27,689
Loans and notes receivable from distributors	0		0
Long-term debt, including portion due within one year	683,986	[1]	684,133	[1]
Fair value [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'		'
Fair value measurements, other financial instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Cash (excluding cash equivalents)	0		0
Cash (funds held for customers)	0		0
Loans and notes receivable from distributors	0		0
Long-term debt, including portion due within one year	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair value [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'		'
Fair value measurements, other financial instruments [Line Items]	'		'
Cash (excluding cash equivalents)	0		0
Cash (funds held for customers)	0		0
Loans and notes receivable from distributors	16,806		17,051
Long-term debt, including portion due within one year	$0	[1]	$0	[1]
[1]	Amounts exclude capital lease obligations.

Restructuring_charges_Details

Restructuring charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	Employees	Employees
Net restructuring charges by component	'	'	'
Severance accruals	$1,545	$990	'
Severance reversals	-310	-299	'
Operating lease reversals	0	-157	'
Net restructuring accruals	1,235	534	'
Other costs	2,297	915	'
Net restructuring charges	3,532	1,449	'
Total cost of revenue	232	78	'
Operating expenses	3,300	1,371	'
Number of employees in severance accrual	40	20	'
Other restructuring charges disclosures	'	'	'
Restructuring accruals, total	4,100	'	5,638
Restructuring accruals, accrued liabilities	4,100	'	5,609
Restructuring accruals, other non-current liabilities	'	'	$29
Number of employees that have not started to receive severance benefits	60	'	'

Restructuring_charges_restruct

Restructuring charges (restructuring accruals by year and by segment) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

27 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

27 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

15 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

27 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

27 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

27 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

27 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

27 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

27 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

2012 initiatives [Member]

2012 initiatives [Member]

2013 initiatives [Member]

2013 initiatives [Member]

2014 initiatives [Member]

Employee severance benefits [Member]

Employee severance benefits [Member]

Employee severance benefits [Member]

Employee severance benefits [Member]

Employee severance benefits [Member]

Employee severance benefits [Member]

Employee severance benefits [Member]

Employee severance benefits [Member]

Operating lease obligations [Member]

Operating lease obligations [Member]

Operating lease obligations [Member]

Operating lease obligations [Member]

Small Business Services [Member]

Small Business Services [Member]

Financial Services [Member]

Financial Services [Member]

Direct Checks [Member]

Direct Checks [Member]

Corporate [Member]

Corporate [Member]

Small Business Services [Member]

Small Business Services [Member]

Direct Checks [Member]

Direct Checks [Member]

Restructuring accruals [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance, beginning of year

$5,638

'

$409

'

$5,229

'

$0

$1,624

'

$1,991

'

$365

'

$1,508

'

$150

'

$0

'

Restructuring charges

1,545

16,915

[1]

21

8,012

89

7,468

1,435

943

5,820

[1]

0

3,888

[1]

0

549

[1]

602

6,046

[1]

0

442

[1]

0

170

[1]

Restructuring reversals

-310

-1,798

[1]

-3

-1,354

-307

-444

0

-222

-663

[1]

-50

-319

[1]

-6

-28

[1]

-32

-631

[1]

0

-157

[1]

0

0

[1]

Inter-segment transfer

'

0

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[1]

'

0

[1]

'

-25

[1]

'

25

[1]

'

0

[1]

'

0

[1]

Payments

-2,773

-11,017

[1]

-224

-6,455

-2,454

-4,467

-95

-1,012

-3,824

[1]

-895

-2,523

[1]

-200

-337

[1]

-636

-3,998

[1]

-30

-165

[1]

0

-170

[1]

Balance, end of period

$4,100

$4,100

$203

$203

$2,557

$2,557

$1,340

$1,333

$1,333

$1,046

$1,046

$159

$159

$1,442

$1,442

$120

$120

'

'

[1]

Includes accruals related to our cost reduction initiatives for 2012 through 2014.

Postretirement_benefits_Detail

Postretirement benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net periodic benefit income	'	'
Interest cost	$1,138	$913
Expected return on plan assets	-2,183	-2,008
Amortization of prior service credit	-355	-355
Amortization of net actuarial losses	854	1,110
Net periodic benefit income	($546)	($340)

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2004

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2009

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Senior notes due 2019 [Member]

Senior notes due 2019 [Member]

Senior notes due 2019 [Member]

Senior notes due 2019 [Member]

Senior notes due 2019 [Member]

Senior notes due 2019 [Member]

Senior notes due 2019 [Member]

Senior notes due 2019 [Member]

Senior, unsecured notes due 2014 [Member]

Senior, unsecured notes due 2014 [Member]

Senior, unsecured notes due 2014 [Member]

Senior, unsecured notes due 2014 [Member]

Senior, unsecured notes due 2014 [Member]

Senior, unsecured notes due 2014 [Member]

Senior, unsecured notes due 2014 [Member]

Capital lease obligations [Member]

Capital lease obligations [Member]

First optional redemption period [Member]

Second optional redemption period [Member]

Third optional redemption period [Member]

Third optional redemption period [Member]

Third optional redemption period [Member]

Mandatory redemption [Member]

Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2020 [Member]

Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2020 [Member]

First optional redemption period [Member]

Second optional redemption period [Member]

Second optional redemption period [Member]

Second optional redemption period [Member]

Mandatory redemption [Member]

Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2014 [Member]

Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2014 [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Debt instruments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

$387,942

$385,115

'

$186,249

[1]

$183,761

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$200,000

$200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,693

$1,354

Senior notes due within one year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

254,544

[2]

255,026

[2]

'

'

'

'

Capital lease obligations due within one year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

718

563

Total debt

643,204

640,704

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase (decrease) in debt due to fair value adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-13,751

-16,239

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,073

1,569

'

'

Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ratio of total debt less unrestricted cash to EBITDA

2.75

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance date

'

'

27-Nov-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Mar-11

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Oct-04

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount issued

'

'

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

275,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stated interest rate

'

'

6.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.13%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt maturity date

'

'

15-Nov-20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Mar-19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Oct-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption period, end date

'

'

'

'

'

15-Nov-15

15-Nov-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Mar-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption period, start date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Nov-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Mar-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes redeemable during redemption period

'

'

'

'

'

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption price, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

106.00%

100.00%

'

100.00%

103.00%

101.00%

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

100.00%

103.50%

101.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from offering, net of offering costs

'

'

196,340

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

196,195

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

272,276

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount retired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000

11,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining principal amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

253,500

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of notes outstanding

'

'

'

208,706

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

217,772

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

257,508

'

'

'

'

'

Capital lease obligations

$2,411

$1,917

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital lease obligations, expiration date

31-Jan-18

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Includes decrease due to cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt of $13,751 as of March 31, 2014 and $16,239 as of December 31, 2013.

[2]

Includes increase due to cumulative change in fair value of hedged debt of $1,073 as of March 31, 2014 and $1,569 as of December 31, 2013.

Debt_credit_facility_Details

Debt (credit facility) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Credit facility [Line Items]	'		'
Credit facility, date of expiration	21-Feb-19		19-Feb-17
Daily average amount outstanding	$0		$0
Credit facility commitment	350,000		200,000
Outstanding letters of credit	-8,915	[1]	'
Net available for borrowing at end of period	$341,085		'
Minimum [Member]	'		'
Credit facility [Line Items]	'		'
Commitment fee	0.20%		'
Maximum [Member]	'		'
Credit facility [Line Items]	'		'
Commitment fee	0.40%		'
[1]	We use standby letters of credit primarily to collateralize certain obligations related to our self-insured workersb compensation claims. These letters of credit reduce the amount available for borrowing under our credit facility.

Other_commitments_and_continge1

Other commitments and contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Environmental matters [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accruals for environmental matters	$8,312	'	$8,294
Expense for environmental matters	269	447	'
Self-insurance	'	'	'
Workers' compensation liability	4,777	'	4,560
Liability for medical and dental benefits for active and disabled employees	3,300	'	3,322
Liability for medical and dental benefits for active and disabled employees, difference between discounted and undiscounted amount	149	'	149
Environmental insurance policy purchased during 2002 [Member] | Environmental remediation costs [Member]	'	'	'
Environmental matters [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accruals for environmental matters	3,953	'	'
Environmental insurance coverage	12,911	'	'
Cumulative benefits received under insurance policy	8,958	'	'
Environmental insurance policy purchased during 2002 [Member] | Third-party claims [Member]	'	'	'
Environmental matters [Line Items]	'	'	'
Environmental insurance coverage	10,000	'	'
Environmental insurance policy for facilities purchased subsequent to 2002 [Member]	'	'	'
Environmental matters [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accruals for environmental matters	0	'	'
Environmental insurance coverage	$15,000	'	'

Shareholders_equity_Details

Shareholders' equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share repurchases	'	'
Common shares authorized for repurchase	10,000	'
Common shares that remain available for repurchase	2,473	'
Common shares repurchased (in shares)	623	'
Payments for common shares repurchased	$31,930	$12,609

Business_segment_information_D

Business segment information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Business segment information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of reportable business segments	3	'	'
Total revenue from external customers:	$406,955	$387,553	'
Operating income:	80,796	77,733	'
Depreciation and amortization expense:	16,265	15,899	'
Total assets:	1,564,332	1,441,810	1,569,529
Capital asset purchases:	10,950	8,304	'
Reportable Business Segments [Member] | Small Business Services [Member]	'	'	'
Business segment information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of revenue from sale of checks	'	'	43.20%
Total revenue from external customers:	269,843	248,318	'
Operating income:	43,591	38,597	'
Depreciation and amortization expense:	11,346	11,223	'
Total assets:	930,020	873,017	'
Capital asset purchases:	0	0	'
Reportable Business Segments [Member] | Financial Services [Member]	'	'	'
Business segment information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total revenue from external customers:	89,113	87,131	'
Operating income:	21,629	22,937	'
Depreciation and amortization expense:	3,202	2,695	'
Total assets:	101,865	90,840	'
Capital asset purchases:	0	0	'
Reportable Business Segments [Member] | Direct Checks [Member]	'	'	'
Business segment information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total revenue from external customers:	47,999	52,104	'
Operating income:	15,576	16,199	'
Depreciation and amortization expense:	1,717	1,981	'
Total assets:	166,501	168,985	'
Capital asset purchases:	0	0	'
Corporate [Member]	'	'	'
Business segment information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total revenue from external customers:	0	0	'
Operating income:	0	0	'
Depreciation and amortization expense:	0	0	'
Total assets:	365,946	308,968	'
Capital asset purchases:	$10,950	$8,304	'

Supplemental_guarantor_financi2

Supplemental guarantor financial information (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$140,615	$121,089	$70,741	$45,435
Trade accounts receivable, net	77,974	88,049	'	'
Inventories and supplies	29,334	28,966	'	'
Deferred income taxes	6,576	6,946	'	'
Funds held for customers	31,811	42,425	'	'
Other current assets	32,484	31,838	'	'
Total current assets	318,794	319,313	'	'
Deferred income taxes	1,781	1,851	'	'
Long-term investments	44,700	44,451	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	98,633	101,343	'	'
Assets held for sale	26,352	25,451	'	'
Intangibles, net	155,293	153,576	'	'
Goodwill	822,944	822,777	'	'
Investments In consolidated subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Intercompany receivable	0	0	'	'
Other non-current assets	95,835	100,767	'	'
Total assets	1,564,332	1,569,529	1,441,810	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	69,353	71,492	'	'
Accrued liabilities	149,052	162,990	'	'
Long-term debt due within one year	255,262	255,589	'	'
Total current liabilities	473,667	490,071	'	'
Long-term debt	387,942	385,115	'	'
Deferred income taxes	83,624	82,814	'	'
Intercompany payable	0	0	'	'
Other non-current liabilities	60,106	61,072	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	558,993	550,457	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,564,332	1,569,529	'	'
Deluxe Corporation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	82,204	71,972	37,584	14,862
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Inventories and supplies	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	3,739	2,698	'	'
Funds held for customers	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	10,857	8,266	'	'
Total current assets	96,800	82,936	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Long-term investments	37,432	35,155	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,269	0	'	'
Assets held for sale	0	0	'	'
Intangibles, net	124	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Investments In consolidated subsidiaries	1,206,177	1,155,705	'	'
Intercompany receivable	0	0	'	'
Other non-current assets	11,988	8,077	'	'
Total assets	1,357,790	1,281,873	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	12,072	11,831	'	'
Accrued liabilities	42,606	13,794	'	'
Long-term debt due within one year	255,262	255,589	'	'
Total current liabilities	309,940	281,214	'	'
Long-term debt	387,942	385,115	'	'
Deferred income taxes	1,403	2,821	'	'
Intercompany payable	68,387	40,565	'	'
Other non-current liabilities	31,125	21,701	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	558,993	550,457	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,357,790	1,281,873	'	'
Guarantor subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	13,839	6,991	1,327	3,228
Trade accounts receivable, net	63,646	70,317	'	'
Inventories and supplies	24,714	24,173	'	'
Deferred income taxes	2,812	4,198	'	'
Funds held for customers	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	18,066	20,118	'	'
Total current assets	123,077	125,797	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Long-term investments	7,268	9,296	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	85,878	93,472	'	'
Assets held for sale	4,035	4,046	'	'
Intangibles, net	152,981	151,361	'	'
Goodwill	821,138	820,898	'	'
Investments In consolidated subsidiaries	83,414	82,918	'	'
Intercompany receivable	69,158	39,192	'	'
Other non-current assets	83,326	92,461	'	'
Total assets	1,430,275	1,419,441	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	53,068	54,655	'	'
Accrued liabilities	68,610	97,577	'	'
Long-term debt due within one year	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	121,678	152,232	'	'
Long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	82,221	79,993	'	'
Intercompany payable	0	0	'	'
Other non-current liabilities	20,199	31,511	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	1,206,177	1,155,705	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,430,275	1,419,441	'	'
Non-guarantor subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	45,013	45,229	33,499	31,346
Trade accounts receivable, net	14,328	17,732	'	'
Inventories and supplies	4,620	4,793	'	'
Deferred income taxes	25	50	'	'
Funds held for customers	31,811	42,425	'	'
Other current assets	3,561	3,454	'	'
Total current assets	99,358	113,683	'	'
Deferred income taxes	1,781	1,851	'	'
Long-term investments	0	0	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,486	7,871	'	'
Assets held for sale	22,317	21,405	'	'
Intangibles, net	2,188	2,215	'	'
Goodwill	1,806	1,879	'	'
Investments In consolidated subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Intercompany receivable	0	1,373	'	'
Other non-current assets	521	229	'	'
Total assets	135,457	150,506	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	4,654	8,109	'	'
Accrued liabilities	37,836	51,619	'	'
Long-term debt due within one year	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	42,490	59,728	'	'
Long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Intercompany payable	771	0	'	'
Other non-current liabilities	8,782	7,860	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	83,414	82,918	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	135,457	150,506	'	'
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	-441	-3,103	-1,669	-4,001
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Inventories and supplies	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Funds held for customers	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	0	0	'	'
Total current assets	-441	-3,103	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Long-term investments	0	0	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Assets held for sale	0	0	'	'
Intangibles, net	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Investments In consolidated subsidiaries	-1,289,591	-1,238,623	'	'
Intercompany receivable	-69,158	-40,565	'	'
Other non-current assets	0	0	'	'
Total assets	-1,359,190	-1,282,291	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	-441	-3,103	'	'
Accrued liabilities	0	0	'	'
Long-term debt due within one year	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	-441	-3,103	'	'
Long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Intercompany payable	-69,158	-40,565	'	'
Other non-current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	-1,289,591	-1,238,623	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	($1,359,190)	($1,282,291)	'	'

Supplemental_guarantor_financi3

Supplemental guarantor financial information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Product revenue	$345,664	$339,875
Service revenue	61,291	47,678
Total revenue	406,955	387,553
Cost of products sold	-118,386	-112,270
Cost of services	-26,542	-21,027
Total cost of revenue	-144,928	-133,297
Gross profit	262,027	254,256
Operating expenses	-181,231	-176,523
Operating (loss) income	80,796	77,733
Interest expense	-9,567	-9,479
Other income (expense)	131	350
(Loss) income before income taxes	71,360	68,604
Income tax benefit (provision)	-24,036	-22,729
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	47,324	45,875
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Net income	47,324	45,875
Comprehensive income	45,455	45,250
Deluxe Corporation [Member]	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Product revenue	0	0
Service revenue	21,570	2,175
Total revenue	21,570	2,175
Cost of products sold	0	0
Cost of services	-24,051	-1,338
Total cost of revenue	-24,051	-1,338
Gross profit	-2,481	837
Operating expenses	0	0
Operating (loss) income	-2,481	837
Interest expense	-9,466	-9,468
Other income (expense)	2,603	1,721
(Loss) income before income taxes	-9,344	-6,910
Income tax benefit (provision)	3,706	3,649
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	-5,638	-3,261
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	52,962	49,136
Net income	47,324	45,875
Comprehensive income	45,455	45,250
Guarantor subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Product revenue	322,649	325,890
Service revenue	55,532	42,594
Total revenue	378,181	368,484
Cost of products sold	-106,666	-107,092
Cost of services	-24,431	-19,016
Total cost of revenue	-131,097	-126,108
Gross profit	247,084	242,376
Operating expenses	-167,766	-168,560
Operating (loss) income	79,318	73,816
Interest expense	-3,422	-1,843
Other income (expense)	672	-289
(Loss) income before income taxes	76,568	71,684
Income tax benefit (provision)	-26,554	-25,233
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	50,014	46,451
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	2,948	2,685
Net income	52,962	49,136
Comprehensive income	50,795	48,244
Non-guarantor subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Product revenue	23,015	13,985
Service revenue	8,061	6,728
Total revenue	31,076	20,713
Cost of products sold	-11,720	-5,178
Cost of services	-3,076	-2,209
Total cost of revenue	-14,796	-7,387
Gross profit	16,280	13,326
Operating expenses	-12,321	-10,246
Operating (loss) income	3,959	3,080
Interest expense	0	0
Other income (expense)	177	750
(Loss) income before income taxes	4,136	3,830
Income tax benefit (provision)	-1,188	-1,145
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	2,948	2,685
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Net income	2,948	2,685
Comprehensive income	459	1,274
Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Product revenue	0	0
Service revenue	-23,872	-3,819
Total revenue	-23,872	-3,819
Cost of products sold	0	0
Cost of services	25,016	1,536
Total cost of revenue	25,016	1,536
Gross profit	1,144	-2,283
Operating expenses	-1,144	2,283
Operating (loss) income	0	0
Interest expense	3,321	1,832
Other income (expense)	-3,321	-1,832
(Loss) income before income taxes	0	0
Income tax benefit (provision)	0	0
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	-55,910	-51,821
Net income	-55,910	-51,821
Comprehensive income	($51,254)	($49,518)

Supplemental_guarantor_financi4

Supplemental guarantor financial information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract}	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	$73,339	$51,468
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of capital assets	-10,950	-8,304
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-2,866	-1,360
Other	806	-173
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	-13,010	-9,837
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net payments on short-term debt	-125	0
Payments on long-term debt	-203	0
Payments for debt issue costs	-939	-138
Change in book overdrafts	0	55
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans	5,376	8,987
Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards	1,401	915
Payments for common shares repurchased	-31,930	-12,609
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	-12,644	-12,731
Advances from (to) consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	-39,064	-15,521
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	-1,739	-804
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	19,526	25,306
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	121,089	45,435
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	140,615	70,741
Deluxe Corporation [Member]	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract}	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	19,972	13,340
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of capital assets	-92	0
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Other	226	-80
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	134	-80
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net payments on short-term debt	0	'
Payments on long-term debt	-183	'
Payments for debt issue costs	-939	-138
Change in book overdrafts	'	25
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans	5,376	8,987
Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards	1,401	915
Payments for common shares repurchased	-31,930	-12,609
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	-12,644	-12,731
Advances from (to) consolidated subsidiaries	29,045	25,013
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	-9,874	9,462
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	10,232	22,722
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	71,972	14,862
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	82,204	37,584
Guarantor subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract}	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	50,290	34,143
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of capital assets	-10,058	-7,996
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-2,866	-1,360
Other	577	-96
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	-12,347	-9,452
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net payments on short-term debt	-125	'
Payments on long-term debt	-20	'
Payments for debt issue costs	0	0
Change in book overdrafts	'	-2,302
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans	0	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards	0	0
Payments for common shares repurchased	0	0
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	0	0
Advances from (to) consolidated subsidiaries	-30,950	-24,290
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	-31,095	-26,592
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	6,848	-1,901
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	6,991	3,228
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	13,839	1,327
Non-guarantor subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract}	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	415	3,985
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of capital assets	-800	-308
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Other	3	3
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	-797	-305
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net payments on short-term debt	0	'
Payments on long-term debt	0	'
Payments for debt issue costs	0	0
Change in book overdrafts	'	0
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans	0	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards	0	0
Payments for common shares repurchased	0	0
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	0	0
Advances from (to) consolidated subsidiaries	1,905	-723
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	1,905	-723
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	-1,739	-804
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-216	2,153
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	45,229	31,346
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	45,013	33,499
Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract}	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,662	0
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of capital assets	0	0
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Other	0	0
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net payments on short-term debt	0	'
Payments on long-term debt	0	'
Payments for debt issue costs	0	0
Change in book overdrafts	'	2,332
Proceeds from issuing shares under employee plans	0	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based employee awards	0	0
Payments for common shares repurchased	0	0
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	0	0
Advances from (to) consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	0	2,332
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	2,662	2,332
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	-3,103	-4,001
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	($441)	($1,669)