<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>176</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>232</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>47</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001001 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ChangeInAccountingPrincipleInventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Other Expense, Net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/OtherExpenseNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense, Net</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Property, Plant, and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant, and Equipment</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/AccruedLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2130100 - Disclosure - Share-based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2131100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2136100 - Disclosure - Concentrations of Risk</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ConcentrationsOfRisk</Role>
      <ShortName>Concentrations of Risk</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2137100 - Disclosure - Transactions With Related Parties</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/TransactionsWithRelatedParties</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions With Related Parties</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2138100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2139100 - Disclosure - New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/NewAndRecentlyAdoptedAccountingStandards</Role>
      <ShortName>New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2140100 - Disclosure - Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesIndemnificationsAndLegalProceedings</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ChangeInAccountingPrincipleInventoriesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302302 - Disclosure - Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ChangeInAccountingPrincipleInventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/AcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Other Expense, Net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/OtherExpenseNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense, Net (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2330301 - Disclosure - Share-based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2331301 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2338301 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ChangeInAccountingPrincipleInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories Components of Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ChangeInAccountingPrincipleInventoriesComponentsOfInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories Components of Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/AcquisitionsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - Acquisitions Pro Forma Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/AcquisitionsProFormaFinancialInformationUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions Pro Forma Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Other Expense, Net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/OtherExpenseNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense, Net (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Computation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Common Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/EarningsPerShareComputationOfBasicAndDilutedIncomePerCommonShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Computation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Common Share (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409401 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415401 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/DebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2430402 - Disclosure - Share-based Compensation - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based Compensation - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2430403 - Disclosure - Share-based Compensation Summary of Restricted Stock and Performance Unit Award Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationSummaryOfRestrictedStockAndPerformanceUnitAwardActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based Compensation Summary of Restricted Stock and Performance Unit Award Activity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2430404 - Disclosure - Share-based Compensation Compensation Expense for Restricted Stock and Performance Units (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationCompensationExpenseForRestrictedStockAndPerformanceUnitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based Compensation Compensation Expense for Restricted Stock and Performance Units (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2430405 - Disclosure - Share-based Compensation Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Share-Based Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationUnrecognizedCompensationExpenseForShareBasedAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based Compensation Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Share-Based Awards (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431403 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/StockholdersEquityChangesInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeByComponentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431404 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/StockholdersEquityReclassificationsOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2436401 - Disclosure - Concentrations of Risk (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/ConcentrationsOfRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Concentrations of Risk (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437401 - Disclosure - Transactions With Related Parties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/TransactionsWithRelatedPartiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions With Related Parties (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2438402 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440401 - Disclosure - Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.boiseinc.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesIndemnificationsAndLegalProceedingsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1 had a mix of decimals attribute values: -8 -5.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCosts had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_Goodwill had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2403402 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2409401 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2410402 - Disclosure - Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2413402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2413403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2415401 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2416402 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2431403 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2438402 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '0 Months Ended
May 14, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '0 Months Ended
Feb. 27, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '0 Months Ended
Dec. 12, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001001 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Jun. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>pkg-20140630.xml</File>
    <File>pkg-20140630.xsd</File>
    <File>pkg-20140630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>pkg-20140630_def.xml</File>
    <File>pkg-20140630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>pkg-20140630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
