Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2011	May 20, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	ASTRO MED INC /NEW/
Entity Central Index Key	0000008146
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Trading Symbol	alot
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,289,888

Document And Entity Information (Abstract)

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Namespace Prefix:	alot
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

If the value is true, then the document as an amendment to previously-filed/accepted document.

+ Details

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- Definition

End date of current fiscal year in the format --MM-DD.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:gMonthDayItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This is focus fiscal period of the document report. For a first quarter 2006 quarterly report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, the first fiscal quarter should be given as the fiscal period focus. Values: FY, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, H1, H2, M9, T1, T2, T3, M8, CY.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This is focus fiscal year of the document report in CCYY format. For a 2006 annual report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, fiscal 2006 should be given as the fiscal year focus. Example: 2006.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements this will be the filing date. The format of the date is CCYY-MM-DD.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, N-1A, etc). The document type should be limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type. The acceptable values are as follows: S-1, S-3, S-4, S-11, F-1, F-3, F-4, F-9, F-10, 6-K, 8-K, 10, 10-K, 10-Q, 20-F, 40-F, N-1A, 485BPOS, NCSR, N-Q, and Other.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12b
-Subsection 1

+ Details

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- Definition

Indicate number of shares outstanding of each of registrant's classes of common stock, as of latest practicable date. Where multiple classes exist define each class by adding class of stock items such as Common Class A [Member], Common Class B [Member] onto the Instrument [Domain] of the Entity Listings, Instrument

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Indicate whether the registrant is one of the following: (1) Large Accelerated Filer, (2) Accelerated Filer, (3) Non-accelerated Filer, or (4) Smaller Reporting Company. Definitions of these categories are stated in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure.

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- Definition

The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12b
-Subsection 1

+ Details

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- Definition

Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration