Consolidated Balance sheets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Property, plant and equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Other assets: Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Assets Total Assets Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, carrying amount Goodwill Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Other Assets, Noncurrent Other Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant and equipment - net Assets, Current Total current assets Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation Inventories: Inventory, Net [Abstract] Inventory, Net Total inventories Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies Raw materials and supplies Work-in-process Inventory, Work in Process Inventory, Finished Goods Finished products Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of year Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Cost: Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, plant and equipment - Gross Land Land Buildings and Improvements, Gross Buildings and improvements Machinery and Equipment, Gross Machinery and equipment Construction in Progress, Gross Construction in progress Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Ending balance Beginning balance Total stockholders' investment Liabilities Total liabilities Other Stockholders Equity Other Ending balance, Value Beginning balance, Value Other Equity at Brady includes the value of stock issued under share-based plans and deferred compensation plans to employees or officers which is the unearned portion. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income, Ending Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock - 3,245,561 and 1,667,235 shares, respectively of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Earnings retained in the business Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Common Stock, Value, Issued Amount Common stock Class B common stock [Member] Class B voting common stock Class B common stock [Member] Class A nonvoting common stock [Member] Class A nonvoting common stock Class A Nonvoting Common Stock [Member] Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Excluding current maturities Long-term obligations, less current maturities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Employee-related Liabilities, Current Wages and amounts withheld from employees Taxes, other than income taxes Accrual for Taxes Other than Income Taxes, Current Accrued income taxes Accrued Income Taxes, Current Other Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares Issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Treasury Stock, Shares Purchase of shares of Class A Common Stock Treasury stock, shares Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] Net (loss) income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net (loss) income Net (loss) income Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income taxes Total Income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income before income taxes Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other income (expense): Operating Income (Loss) Operating income Operating income Operating Expenses Total operating expenses Gross Profit Gross margin Gross margin Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Research and Development Expense Research and development Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative Restructuring Charges Restructuring charges Restructuring charges Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted average Class A and Class B common shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Denominator for basic net income (loss) per share for both Class A and Class B Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share for both Class A and Class B Diluted Net (loss) income per common share: Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract] Net Income Per Class A Common Share: Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Cash dividends on Common Stock Dividends Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Net Income Per Common Share Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Investment Employee Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Restructuring Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivatives and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Statement [Line Items] Operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash Paid During Period For [Abstract] Cash paid during the year for: Cash paid during the period for. Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total Deferred income tax (benefit) expense Deferred income taxes Share-based Compensation Total stock compensation expense Non-cash portion of stock-based compensation expense Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of business acquisitions): Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Income Taxes Payable Income taxes Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property, plant and equipment Expenditures for property, plant and equipment Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from issuance of common stock Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Interest Paid, Net Interest, net of capitalized interest Income Taxes Paid, Net Income taxes, net of refunds Debt, Current Current maturities on long-term obligations Stockholders' investment: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Revenues from external customers Net sales Cost of Goods Sold Cost of products sold Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information. Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Other Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of obligations. This may include trade payables and other liabilities not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Total comprehensive income Total comprehensive income (loss) Americas [Member] Americas [Member] Americas. Asia Pacific [Member] Asia-Pacific [Member] Asia pacific. Europe [Member] Europe [Member] Europe. Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments Translation adjustments and other Decrease in goodwill due to net effect of foreign currency translation Performance Based Options [Member] Performance Based Options [Member] Performance based options. Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Expected volatility Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Expected dividend yield Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Risk-free interest rate Trademarks and other [Member] Trademarks and other [Member] Trademarks and other. Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Amortized other intangible assets, gross carrying amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Amortized other intangible assets, net book value Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share Dividend Payable Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Patents [Member] Patents [Member] Customer Relationships [Member] Customer relationships [Member] Trademarks [Member] Trademarks [Member] Common Class A [Member] Common Class A [Member] Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization expense of intangible assets Frank M Jaehnert [Member] Frank M. Jaehnert [Member] Frank M. Jaehnert. Performance Based Restricted Shares [Member] Performance Based Restricted Shares [Member] Performance Based Restricted Shares. Service Based Option [Member] Service Based Options [Member] Service based option. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period Options Outstanding, Granted Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Options Exercised Options Outstanding, Exercised Issue Shares of class A common stock Nonoperating Investment and other income net Investment and other income - net Investment and other income - net Reflects the sum of all other revenue and income recognized by the entity in the period not otherwise specified in the income statement. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Other Than Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted average exercise price Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award other than options grants in period weighted average exercise price. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted average fair value of options granted Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period Weighted Average Assumptions Black Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions [Abstract] Stock Option Assumptions Weighted-average assumptions Black-Scholes option valuation assumptions. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Outstanding stock options and restricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Authorized For Future Issuance Future issuance of stock options and restricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock remain Future issuance of stock option and restricted shares The number of shares available for future issuance of stock options and restricted shares under the entity's various plans. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Performance Based Stock Options Granted Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Performance based restricted shares outstanding Unrealized losses on hedged transactions Unrealized losses on foreign currency cash flow hedges expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months Foreign denominated debt outstanding Foreign denominated debt outstanding Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract] Unamortized other intangible assets: Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument, Face Amount Private Placement in Euros/Dollars Aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes under private placement Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Options Outstanding, Ending balance Options Outstanding, Beginning balance Number of Shares Outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value Total intrinsic value of options exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Aggregate intrinsic value of the number of options outstanding Unsecured Debt [Member] Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercise In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised The weighted average price of stock options exercised during the reporting period. Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Class of Stock [Line Items] Name Of Entity [Axis] Name of entity. Name of Entity [Domain] Name of entity. Unallocated amounts [Abstract] Unallocated amounts. Unallocated amounts: Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Net Income Per Common Share (Textual) [Abstract] Net Income Per Common Share (Textual) [Abstract] Net income per common share. Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Common stock of Class A shares excluded from computations of diluted net income per share Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Member] Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] Prepaid expenses and other current assets. Other Current Liabilities [Member] Other Current Liabilities [Member] Other current liabilities. Long Term Obligations Less Current Maturities [Member] Long Term Obligations Less Current Maturities [Member] Long term obligations less current maturities.