Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 67,611	$ 91,292	$ 205,402	$ 288,287
Cost of sales	51,440	66,953	151,014	206,524
Gross profit	16,171	24,339	54,388	81,763
Research and development expenses	4,005	4,318	10,757	13,675
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	7,480	9,862	25,302	30,701
Goodwill impairment loss	7,413	0	7,413	0
Operating (loss) income	(2,727)	10,159	10,916	37,387
Other (expense), net	(123)	(72)	(433)	(210)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(2,850)	10,087	10,483	37,177
Income taxes	(1,291)	3,290	2,960	11,599
Net (loss) income	(1,559)	6,797	7,523	25,578
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	22	14	58	38
Net (loss) income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ (1,581)	$ 6,783	$ 7,465	$ 25,540
Net (loss) income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.19	$ 0.20	$ 0.70
Diluted (in dollars per share)	(0.04)	0.18	0.20	0.70
Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.39	$ 0.37
Comprehensive income:
Net (loss) income	$ (1,559)	$ 6,797	$ 7,523	$ 25,578
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	2	(463)	(172)	(588)
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit of $1,606, $14, $1,572, and $40, respectively	2,794	24	2,995	74
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,796	(439)	2,823	(514)
Comprehensive income	1,237	6,358	10,346	25,064
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	22	14	58	38
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 1,215	$ 6,344	$ 10,288	$ 25,026