Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	May 01, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	PHOTRONICS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000810136
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 494,018,059
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		60,194,533
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 30, 2011