Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Raven Industries, Inc. Equity [Member]	Non-controlling Interest [Member]	Stock Options [Member]	Stock Options [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Stock Options [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Stock Options [Member] Raven Industries, Inc. Equity [Member]	Employee Stock Option [Member]	Employee Stock Option [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Employee Stock Option [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Employee Stock Option [Member] Raven Industries, Inc. Equity [Member]
Balance at beginning of period at Jan. 31, 2012	$ 180,590	$ 32,566	$ 9,607	$ (53,362)	$ 193,650	$ (1,962)	$ 180,499	$ 91
Treasury stock at beginning of period (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2012				(14,449)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	30,591				30,589		30,589	2
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	(45)					(45)	(45)
Postretirement benefits reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax benefit	76					76	76
Cash dividends	(7,618)		31		(7,649)		(7,618)
Two-for-one stock split	0	32,598	(7,405)		(25,193)		0
Two-for-one stock split (in shares)				(14,448)
Stock surrendered and employees' stock options exercised									(2,139)	(32)	(2,107)	(2,139)	2,075	64	2,011	2,075
Share-based compensation	1,570	0	1,570				1,570
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	227		227				227
Balance at end of period at Jul. 31, 2012	205,327	65,196	3,934	(53,362)	191,397	(1,931)	205,234	93
Treasury stock at end of period (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2012	(28,897)			(28,897)
Balance at beginning of period at Jan. 31, 2013	221,447	65,223	5,885	(53,362)	205,695	(2,095)	221,346	101
Treasury stock at beginning of period (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2013	(28,897)			(28,897)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	22,331				22,336		22,336	(5)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	(117)					(117)	(117)
Postretirement benefits reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax benefit	59					59	59
Cash dividends	(8,727)		51		(8,778)		(8,727)
Stock surrendered and employees' stock options exercised									(1,632)	(51)	(1,581)	(1,632)	1,430	110	1,320	1,430
Share-based compensation	2,276	0	2,276				2,276
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	247		247				247
Balance at end of period at Jul. 31, 2013	$ 237,314	$ 65,282	$ 8,198	$ (53,362)	$ 219,253	$ (2,153)	$ 237,218	$ 96
Treasury stock at end of period (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2013	(28,897)			(28,897)