Overview and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions |
12 Months Ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 01, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2015 |
Dec. 31, 2014 |
|
| Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items] | ||||
| Distribution of common shares during spinoff | 26.2 | |||
| Percentage of distribution of common shares during spinoff | 80.75% | |||
| Description of distribution of common shares during spinoff | Holders of RRD common stock received one share of Donnelley Financial common stock for every eight shares of RRD common stock held on September 23, 2016. | |||
| Net Sales | $ 983.5 | $ 1,049.5 | $ 1,080.1 | |
| Transition Services Agreements | ||||
| Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items] | ||||
| Intercompany agreements, description | In connection with the Separation, the Company entered into transition services agreements separately with RRD and LSC, under which, in exchange for the fees specified in the arrangements, RRD and LSC agree to provide certain services to the Company and the Company agrees to provide certain services to RRD, respectively, for up to 24 months following the Separation. These services include, but are not limited to, information technology, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and other financial and administrative services and functions. These agreements facilitate the separation by allowing the Company to operate independently prior to establishing stand-alone back office systems across its organization. | |||
| Term of agreement | 24 months | |||
| Commercial and Other Arrangements | ||||
| Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items] | ||||
| Intercompany agreements, description | The Company entered into a number of commercial and other arrangements with RRD and its subsidiaries. These include, among other things, arrangements for the provision of services, including global outsourcing and logistics services, printing and binding, digital printing, composition, premedia and access to technology. The Company also entered into a number of commercial and other arrangements with LSC and its subsidiaries, pursuant to which LSC will print and bind products for the Company. The terms of the arrangements with RRD and LSC do not exceed 24 months. Subsequent to the Separation, RRD and LSC are clients of the Company and expect to utilize financial communication software and services that the Company provides to all of its clients. | |||
| Term of agreement | 24 months | |||
| R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company | ||||
| Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items] | ||||
| Distribution of common shares during spinoff | 26.2 | |||
| Number of common stock retained | 6.2 | |||
| Ownership percentage | 19.25% | |||
| Net pension plan liabilities | $ 68.3 | |||
| Total benefit plan liability | 317.0 | |||
| Plan assets, fair market value | 248.7 | |||
| Net other postretirement benefit liability | $ 1.5 | |||
| Net Sales | $ 19.4 | 7.8 | 8.0 | |
| RRD Affiliates | ||||
| Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items] | ||||
| Cost of sales to RRD and affiliates | $ 95.7 | $ 108.7 | $ 115.8 | |