Multispectral photography technology can be used as a nondestructive method to extract information from textiles. A multispectral imaging system and a micro spectrometer were used to identify and record the damaged textures and blurred ink writings on a piece of an imperial edict dated to eighth year of the Zheng De Emperor (Ming dynasty, 1513 AD).It is found that the multiple wavelengthIR spectrum is very useful for identifying the ink writings. In combination with spectral analysis, the method could extract both textile color and texture information, especially when the textile colors are complicated and unidentifiable by the naked eye. The information soobtained could be used to complete and supplement the information on the textile relic. Multispectral photography is a practical and nondestructive method to extract information from ancient textiles.