The invention provides an industrial sewing machine control system and method based on visible light detection. The control system comprises a first visible light sensor, a second visible light sensor and a third visible light sensor, wherein the first visible light sensor and the second visible light sensor are used for receiving visible light at the positions where the first visible light sensor and the second visible light sensor are located, the first visible light sensor and the second visible light sensor are arranged in a sewing region of an industrial sewing machine at an interval in the feeding direction of a sewing material, the first visible light sensor is arranged at the feeding end of the sewing region, the second visible light sensor is arranged at the discharging end of the sewing region, the third visible light sensor is arranged on a machine shell and is always not sheltered, and also used for receiving the visible light of the position where the third visible light sensor is positioned, and a sewing machine controller is connected with the first visible light sensor, the second visible light sensor and the third visible light sensor and further connected with an automatic pressure foot lifting mechanism and an automatic thread trimming mechanism. According to the industrial sewing machine control system, a detection signal transmission source is not required to be additionally arranged, the system can detect whether the sewing material enters/is away from the sewing region only by utilizing the environmental visible light, starting/closing of the sewing operation is controlled, the environmental conditions are fully utilized, the automation degree is high, and the accuracy efficiency is high.