A printed matter inspection method and device which detects a defect on the printed matter including a partially inputting camera capable of being moved in a width direction of the printed matter by a mover which inputs a partial image of a pattern on the printed matter and a whole image inputting camera disposed apart from the partially inputting camera by a predetermined distance in the direction the printed matter flows which inputs a whole image including the whole pattern and coordinating, based on a relationship between a position on the whole image, of the partial image and a width-directionwise reference point set on the whole image, the width-directionwise position on the whole image and the width-directionwise position on the mover with each other, when the partially inputting camera is located on an origin set on the mover, positioning and then setting a photographing point, which is to be input by said partially inputting camera, on said whole image, calculating a width-directionwise pixel number between said set photographing point and said width-directionwise reference point on said whole image, multiplying said calculated width-directionwise pixel number by a width-directionwise resolution of said whole image to calculate the width-directionwise moving amount on said moving mechanism; moving said partially inputting camera up to a target position corresponding to said width-directionwise moving amount; and inputting said partial image at an arbitrary timing by said partially inputting camera moved up to said target position.