Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 450,439	$ 512,020	$ 425,554
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	(338,519)	(375,806)	(333,739)
Selling, general and administrative	(46,706)	(45,240)	(42,387)
Research and development	(19,371)	(15,507)	(14,932)
Consolidation, restructuring and related (charges) credits	(1,428)	0	4,979
Operating income	44,415	75,467	39,475
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(7,488)	(7,258)	(9,475)
Interest and other income (expense), net	3,721	2,949	2,553
Debt extinguishment loss	0	(35,259)	0
Income before income tax provision	40,648	35,899	32,553
Income tax provision	(10,793)	(15,691)	(7,471)
Net income	29,855	20,208	25,082
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,987)	(3,979)	(1,160)
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 27,868	$ 16,229	$ 23,922
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.28	$ 0.45
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.44	$ 0.28	$ 0.43
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	60,055	57,030	53,433
Diluted (in shares)	76,464	58,458	65,803