Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings Schedule of Purchase Commitments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
2014	$ 120,971
2015	54,757
2016	14,840
2017	3,017
2018	2,545
Thereafter	11,536
Total	$ 207,666

The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the long-term purchase commitment after the fifth year after the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	pkg_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentAmountDueThereafter
Namespace Prefix:	pkg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the long-term purchase commitment in the fifth year after the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	pkg_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentAmountDueWithinFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	pkg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the long-term purchase commitment in the fourth year after the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	pkg_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentAmountDueWithinFourYears
Namespace Prefix:	pkg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the long-term purchase commitment in the first year after the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	pkg_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentAmountDueWithinOneYear
Namespace Prefix:	pkg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the long-term purchase commitment in the third year after the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	pkg_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentAmountDueWithinThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	pkg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the long-term purchase commitment in the second year after the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	pkg_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentAmountDueWithinTwoYears
Namespace Prefix:	pkg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The total of contractually required payments on long-term purchase commitments.

No definition available.

Name:	pkg_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentFutureMinimumPaymentsDue
Namespace Prefix:	pkg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration