Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Mar. 01, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SPARTECH CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000077597
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-02
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Feb. 02, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		31,203,605