© 2017 Author(s). A novel draw-bending testing method using a non-contact optical 3D deformation measuring system (ARAMIS ® , GOM) was developed to investigate the deformation process of draw-bending. Furthermore, the accuracy of the fracture prediction based on a fracture criterion using the concept of forming limit stress was also investigated. The experimental apparatus is capable of applying draw-bending to a sheet specimen with a forming speed of 100 mm/s, which is comparable to those in real press forming operations. Specimens undergo bending-unbending under tension when passing over the die profile radius. The test materials is a 590MPa high-strength steel sheet. In order to evaluate the effect of the stress variation in the width direction of a specimen on the accuracy of the calculated draw-bending fracture stress σ DB , the strain components on the upper surface of the specimen were measured using the ARAMIS ® software. High-speed CMOS cameras were used to take synchronized images. The development of the strain field on the surface of the specimen was succssesfully measured. The σ DB was calculated from the draw-bending force and the strain components at the moment immediately before fracture, and compared with the forming limit stress σ PT measured for monotonic plane strain tension. It is concluded that the forming limit stress criterion is effective as a fracture criterion for the draw-bending of the test material.