Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SPARTECH CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000077597
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-29
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,830,756