Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 29, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 116,616	$ 135,935	$ 346,220	$ 389,861
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	(84,312)	(97,695)	(258,598)	(284,540)
Selling, general and administrative	(11,784)	(11,833)	(35,311)	(33,995)
Research and development	(5,221)	(3,527)	(14,106)	(11,238)
Consolidation, restructuring and related charges	(7)	0	(1,182)	0
Operating income	15,292	22,880	37,023	60,088
Other income (expense):
Debt extinguishment loss	0	(4,973)	0	(35,259)
Interest expense	(2,012)	(1,907)	(5,587)	(5,499)
Investment and other income (expense), net	1,245	1,517	3,444	3,480
Income before income taxes	14,525	17,517	34,880	22,810
Income tax provision	(3,258)	(4,895)	(9,242)	(11,637)
Net income	11,267	12,622	25,638	11,173
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(317)	(1,357)	(1,603)	(4,235)
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc.	$ 10,950	$ 11,265	$ 24,035	$ 6,938
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.19	$ 0.40	$ 0.12
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.16	$ 0.37	$ 0.12
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	60,121	58,987	60,008	56,163
Diluted (in shares)	76,436	76,744	76,460	57,724