Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 258,229	$ 378,153	$ 394,677
Cost of sales	191,255	274,907	275,323
Gross profit	66,974	103,246	119,354
Research and development expenses	14,686	17,440	16,576
Selling, general and administrative expenses	32,574	42,005	38,784
Goodwill impairment loss	11,497	0	0
Long-lived asset impairment loss	3,826	0	0
Operating income	4,391	43,801	63,994
Other (expense), net	(310)	(300)	(371)
Income before income taxes	4,081	43,501	63,623
Income taxes (benefit) provision	(767)	11,705	20,721
Net income	4,848	31,796	42,902
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	72	63	(1)
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 4,776	$ 31,733	$ 42,903
Net income per common share:
─ Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.86	$ 1.18
─ Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.86	$ 1.17
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 4,848	$ 31,796	$ 42,902
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(729)	(1,466)	(424)
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax (expense) benefit of ($1,620), $1,187, and ($183), respectively	3,077	(2,204)	340
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,348	(3,670)	(84)
Comprehensive income	7,196	28,126	42,818
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	72	63	(1)
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 7,124	$ 28,063	$ 42,819