In this paper, we propose a web inspection system (WIS) for real-time detection of paper defects which can cause critical fractures during papermaking process. Our system incorporates high speed line-scan camera, lighting system, and detection algorithm to provide robust and precise detection of paper defects in real-time. Since edge defects are very crucial to the paper fractures, our system focuses on the edge region of the paper instead of inspecting the whole paper area. In our algorithm, image projection and sub-pixel operation are utilized to detect the edge defects precisely and connected component labeling and shape analysis techniques are adopted to extract various kinds of the region defects. Experimental results revealed that our web inspection system is very efficient for detecting paper defects during papermaking processes.