Represents the number of majority owned subsidiaries.

No definition available.

Name:	plab_NumberOfMajorityOwnedSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	plab_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This line item represents the number of manufacturing facilities of the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plab_NumberOfManufacturingFacilities
Namespace Prefix:	plab_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	plab_OperatingFacilitiesByGeographicalRegionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	plab_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the period of warranty.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plab_PeriodOfWarranty
Namespace Prefix:	plab_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate realized and unrealized gain on foreign currency transactions included in net income. Includes gain on a foreign currency forward exchange contract. Does not include foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity or intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature. Gross of tax effect.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 52

-Paragraph 30

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30690-110894

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450222&loc=d3e30840-110895

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30700-110894

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Manufacturing Facilities by Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	8
Foreign Currency [Abstract]
Foreign currency transaction gain	$ 0.2	$ 0.4	$ 2.0
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Number of majority owned subsidiaries	2
Period of warranty	30 days
PK Ltd [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling interests	0.30%	0.30%
Photronics Semiconductor Mask Corporation [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling interests	28.00%	38.00%
Minimum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Buildings and Improvements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Buildings and Improvements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Furniture, Fixtures and Office Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Furniture, Fixtures and Office Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Europe [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities by Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	2
Taiwan [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities by Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	2
Korea [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities by Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	1
United States [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities by Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	3