Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 27, 2013	Jan. 29, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 99,839	$ 112,154
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	(78,741)	(86,696)
Selling, general and administrative	(11,067)	(11,325)
Research and development	(4,839)	(4,444)
Consolidation, restructuring and related charges	0	(1,118)
Operating income	5,192	8,571
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,887)	(1,781)
Interest and other income (expense), net	1,296	1,372
Income before income tax provision	4,601	8,162
Income tax provision	(1,742)	(3,321)
Net income	2,859	4,841
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(536)	(573)
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 2,323	$ 4,268
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.07
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.07
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	60,277	59,817
Diluted (in shares)	61,095	60,930