Musée de l'Impression sur étoffes
What is the Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes?
The Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes in Mulhouse, France, is one of the world’s most important museums dedicated to printed textiles. It preserves rare fabric sample books, wooden printing blocks, and historical machines from the 18th to 20th centuries, offering a deep insight into the history of textile printing.
Why this museum matters to PREQUEL
This museum is not just a place of history for us. Many of the ideas behind PREQUEL’s original fabrics are inspired by the kind of sample books and printing techniques preserved here. The irregular textures, layered colors, and storytelling patterns seen in these archives continue to influence how we design fabrics today.
From the late 18th century to the early 19th century, Mulhouse flourished as the center of the European textile industry, with many printing factories lining the streets.
The museum showcases a diverse collection of printed fabrics from the 18th century to the present day, tracing the history and evolution of textile technology. Highlights include rare fabric sample books from around 1900, tools used in printing techniques of the time, wooden planches (wooden printing blocks), and authentic 19th-century roller printing machines, all of which can be viewed up close, leaving visitors awe-struck by their sheer scale.
Additionally, the museum has collaborated with Hermès for many years and houses a collection of exquisite scarves. Each scarf features over 1,000 lines, with designs rich in narrative detail, such as horse tack, mythology, flora and fauna, and Persian patterns, creating a beauty reminiscent of a scroll painting.
The Mulhouse Museum of Textile Printing is located in Mulhouse in eastern France and is one of the world's leading museums specializing in printed fabrics.
In addition, wooden planches (woodblock printing blocks) used from the 18th century to the mid-20th century are included in the museum's permanent exhibition, and visitors can view the actual items.
Roller printing machines (printing roller type) from the early to mid-19th century are on display.
Numerous authentic printing machines used from the 18th to the 20th century are also on display.
This museum is a place where visitors can experience fabric not merely as a material, but as a “canvas of stories” that reflects the times and connects people's lives and cultures. It is a “sacred site of fabric” worth visiting not only for those interested in fashion and design, but for everyone who wishes to explore the depth of history and craftsmanship.
It takes about 3 hours by TGV from Paris and about 1 hour by train from Strasbourg. It is also easily accessible, located a 15-minute walk from Mulhouse Station. Please visit and enjoy a special experience surrounded by the charm of fabrics.
Facility Name Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes
Location 14 Rue Jean Jacques Henner, 68100 Mulhouse, France
Opening Hours Tuesday to Sunday: 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Closed Mondays and public holidays
PREQUEL is a brand inspired by the traces of stories left in fabrics and garments from 100 years ago, reinterpreted through a modern perspective.
Rather than simply reproducing the past, we create a “prequel” that connects to the next era.
https://prequel.jp/en/blogs/prequel/prequel-textile-archive
