Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2012	Jan. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 112,154	$ 120,823
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	(86,696)	(90,229)
Selling, general and administrative	(11,325)	(10,713)
Research and development	(4,444)	(3,771)
Consolidation, restructuring and related charges	(1,118)	0
Operating income	8,571	16,110
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,781)	(1,711)
Investment and other income, net	1,372	2,668
Income before income taxes	8,162	17,067
Income tax provision	(3,321)	(3,483)
Net income	4,841	13,584
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(573)	(1,473)
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc.	$ 4,268	$ 12,111
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.23
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.20
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	59,817	53,817
Diluted (in shares)	60,930	66,411