What printing technique is traditionally used to produce Hermès silk scarves?

The traditional printing technique used to produce Hermès silk scarves is silk-screen printing.

Hermès scarves are made from silk twill and are traditionally printed through a process in which colors are applied separately through fine screens. Each color requires its own screen, so a design containing many colors involves numerous carefully aligned printing stages. This method allows the crisp outlines and saturated color fields associated with the classic carré.

After printing, the silk is washed, finished, and hand-rolled along its edges. The production process requires close control because even a small registration error can alter the appearance of a detailed design. Hermès has historically emphasized craftsmanship and color development as part of the scarf’s value.

Silk-screen printing is not the same as digital printing, which is used for some contemporary textile production. The scarf’s printed design is also separate from the later hand-rolling of its hem.