Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $4,055 in 2011 and $4,235 in 2010 Accumulated other comprehensive income Additional paid-in capital Amortization of deferred financing costs and intangible assets Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment Accounts receivable, allowance Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Basic (in dollars per share) Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Changes in assets and liabilities: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 59,651 shares issued and outstanding at October 30, 2011, and 53,779 shares issued and outstanding at October 31, 2010 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block] Cost of sales Cost of Goods Sold Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term borrowings Long-term borrowings Deferred income taxes Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Effects of exchange rate changes on cash Share-based compensation Deferred financing costs and other Payments of Financing Costs Gain on sale of facility Gain on sale of facility Debt extinguishment loss Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Impairment of long-lived assets Impairment of long-lived assets Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Consolidation, restructuring and related charges (credits) Intangible assets, net Inventories Inventory, Net Investment in joint venture Total liabilities Liabilities Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Noncontrolling interests Subsidiary dividend Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders SUBSIDIARY SHARE REPURCHASE Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [Text Block] Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash flows from investing activities: Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) attributable to Photronics, Inc. Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS [Abstract] Other income (expense): Interest expense Interest and Debt Expense Debt extinguishment loss Operating income (loss) Operating Income (Loss) Amortization of cash flow hedges Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Other Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Unrealized holding losses Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Other current assets Other Assets, Current Proceeds from sales of short-term investments and other Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Investment and other income (expense), net Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Proceeds from long-term borrowings Property, plant and equipment, net PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract] Investment in joint venture Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Purchases of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Repurchase of common stock by subsidiary Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Consolidation, restructuring and related credits (charges) Restructuring Charges CONSOLIDATION, RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES (CREDITS) Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) Net sales Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block] Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Equity and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Total current assets Assets, Current Current assets: Diluted (in shares) Basic (in shares) Common Stock [Member] PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Research and development Research and Development Expense Total assets Assets INTANGIBLE ASSETS Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Other liabilities Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Statement [Table] ASSETS Statement [Line Items] Capital lease obligation for purchases of property, plant and equipment FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Proceeds from sale of facilities Common stock warrants issued Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued Other assets Earnings (loss) per share: EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE [Abstract] Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Unrealized holding income (losses) reclassification adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Write-down of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Total Photronics, Inc. shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Income tax provision Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding Repurchase of common stock by subsidiary Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Earnings Accumulated (Deficit) [Member] Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total [Member] Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation [Member] Equity Component [Domain] Changes in accrual for purchases of property, plant and equipment Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedges [Member] LONG-TERM BORROWINGS Long-term Debt [Text Block] Common stock issued in public offering (net) Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plan Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Restricted stock awards vestings and expense Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Common stock issued in public offering (net) (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plan (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Restricted stock awards vestings and expense (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Payments of expenses related to debt and equity offerings Payment of Financing and Stock Issuance Costs Common stock issuance costs Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Stock Issued, Issuance Costs Cost and expenses: EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Net income (loss) Net (loss) income Net income (loss) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: Comprehensive income (loss): Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Total comprehensive (loss) income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Equity: Total equity Balance Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Non-Controlling Interest [Member] Parent [Member] Total Photronics, Inc. [Member] OPERATING LEASES [Abstract] Commitments and contingencies OPERATING LEASES Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Share-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition OCI reclassification Stockholders' Equity, Other Proceeds from share-based arrangements Income (loss) before income tax provision Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block] Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] ACCRUED LIABILITIES Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities, and Other Liabilities Disclosure, Current [Text Block] Repayments of long-term borrowings Repayments of Debt and Capital Lease Obligations COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract] INCOME TAXES [Abstract] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract] ACCRUED LIABILITIES [Abstract] EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS [Abstract] EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block] QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) [Abstract] DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES [Abstract] SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION [Abstract] CONSOLIDATION, RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES (CREDITS) [Abstract] SUBSIDIARY SHARE REPURCHASE [Abstract] OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS [Abstract] Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract] Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Common stock issued to extinguish debt Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity [Text Block] Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Common Stock Warrants [Text Block] The entire disclosure of warrants or rights issued. Warrants and rights outstanding are derivative securities that give the holder the right to purchase securities from the issuer at a specific price within a certain time frame. Disclose the title of issue of securities and the aggregate amount of securities called for by warrants and rights outstanding. Also, the date from which the warrants or rights, and the price at which the warrant or right is exercisable. COMMON STOCK WARRANTS Geographic Information [Abstract] GEOGRAPHIC AND SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER INFORMATION [Abstract] Geographic Information [Text Block] The entire disclosure of information concerning material long-lived assets (excluding financial instruments, customer relationships with financial institutions, mortgage and other servicing rights, deferred policy acquisition costs, and deferred taxes assets) located in identified geographic areas and/or the amount of revenue from external customers attributed to that country from which revenue is material. An entity may also provide subtotals of geographic information about groups of countries. GEOGRAPHIC AND SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER INFORMATION JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. [Abstract] Joint Venture And Other Agreements [Text Block] Policy for consolidation: judgments and assumptions made to determine if a variable interest held requires the VIE to be consolidated and/or disclose info on involvement with the VIE; methodology used to determine if it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE; judgments made to determine that the power to direct activities that significantly impact economic performance of the VIE are shared. Includes information on agreements entered with Micron Technologies at the time of formation of the JV. JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. LONG-TERM BORROWINGS [Abstract] COMMON STOCK WARRANTS [Abstract] CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK [Abstract] OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME DISCLOSURE [Abstract] OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract] Proceeds from debt and equity offerings The gross cash inflow associated with the sale of senior convertible notes and/or common stock sold through public offerings or private sales. Issuances of common stock warrants The value of common stock warrants issued in noncash financing activities. Return Of Investment In Joint Venture Receipt of distribution from MP Mask Joint Venture, LLC. Return of investment from joint venture Common stock warrants exercised shares Number of common shares issued as a result of the exercise of warrants Common stock warrants exercised (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Debt Extinguishment Number of shares issued during the period for the extinguishment of debt. Common stock issued to extinguish debt (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Value Debt Extinguishment Value of stock issued during the period for the extinguishment of debt. Common stock issued to extinguish debt Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract] Common Stock Warrants Exercised Value Equity impact of the value of common stock warrants exercised during the period. Common stock warrants exercised Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other [Member] Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources at fiscal year-end. Excludes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, and unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.