An image inspection method of inspecting a read image generated by reading a printed image formed on a recording sheet, the image inspection method comprising: obtaining a preprint image that reflects an image previously formed on the recording sheet; generating an output target image based on an image formed on the recording sheet having the preprint image previously printed; combining the preprint image and the output target image to generate an inspection image; characterized by the method further comprising: generating attribute data for each one of a plurality of pixels in the inspection image while generating the inspection image, the attribute data indicating whether the pixel corresponds to drawing data in the output target image or to drawing data in the preprint image; matching, based on the attribute data based on the output target image, the positions between the read image and the inspection image for only the pixels corresponding to the drawing data in the output target image to generate a first position match result; matching, based on the attribute data based on the preprint image, the positions between the read image and the inspection image for only the pixels corresponding to the drawing data in the preprint image to generate a second position match result; and comparing between the inspection image and the read image to inspect the read image, the inspection image and the read image being matched in positions using at least one of the first position match result and the second position match result. obtaining a preprint image that reflects an image previously formed on the recording sheet; generating an output target image based on an image formed on the recording sheet having the preprint image previously printed; combining the preprint image and the output target image to generate an inspection image; characterized by the method further comprising: generating attribute data for each one of a plurality of pixels in the inspection image while generating the inspection image, the attribute data indicating whether the pixel corresponds to drawing data in the output target image or to drawing data in the preprint image; matching, based on the attribute data based on the output target image, the positions between the read image and the inspection image for only the pixels corresponding to the drawing data in the output target image to generate a first position match result; matching, based on the attribute data based on the preprint image, the positions between the read image and the inspection image for only the pixels corresponding to the drawing data in the preprint image to generate a second position match result; and comparing between the inspection image and the read image to inspect the read image, the inspection image and the read image being matched in positions using at least one of the first position match result and the second position match result. generating attribute data for each one of a plurality of pixels in the inspection image while generating the inspection image, the attribute data indicating whether the pixel corresponds to drawing data in the output target image or to drawing data in the preprint image; matching, based on the attribute data based on the output target image, the positions between the read image and the inspection image for only the pixels corresponding to the drawing data in the output target image to generate a first position match result; matching, based on the attribute data based on the preprint image, the positions between the read image and the inspection image for only the pixels corresponding to the drawing data in the preprint image to generate a second position match result; and comparing between the inspection image and the read image to inspect the read image, the inspection image and the read image being matched in positions using at least one of the first position match result and the second position match result.