Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Nov. 01, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 512,020	$ 425,554	$ 361,353
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	(375,806)	(333,739)	(304,282)
Selling, general and administrative	(45,240)	(42,387)	(41,162)
Research and development	(15,507)	(14,932)	(15,423)
Consolidation, restructuring and related credits (charges)	0	4,979	(13,557)
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	0	(1,458)
Gain on sale of facility	0	0	2,034
Operating income (loss)	75,467	39,475	(12,495)
Other income (expense):
Debt extinguishment loss	(35,259)	0	0
Interest expense	(7,258)	(9,475)	(22,401)
Investment and other income (expense), net	2,949	2,553	(2,208)
Income (loss) before income tax provision	35,899	32,553	(37,104)
Income tax provision	(15,691)	(7,471)	(4,323)
Net income (loss)	20,208	25,082	(41,427)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,979)	(1,160)	(483)
Net income (loss) attributable to Photronics, Inc.	$ 16,229	$ 23,922	$ (41,910)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.45	$ (0.97)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.43	$ (0.97)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	57,030	53,433	43,210
Diluted (in shares)	58,458	65,803	43,210