This invention aims at producing a cold rolled thin sheet having excellent surface quality from a cast strip of a Cr--Ni type stainless steel cast strip by a thin casting method. The production method of the invention comprises the steps of continuously casting a Cr--Ni type stainless steel to a cast strip having a thickness of not greater than 10 mm by using a continuous casting machine the cast mold wall surface of which moves in synchronism with the cast strip; hot rolling the resulting cast strip at a temperature within the range of 900 to 1,200.degree. C. at a reduction ratio of 10 to 50%; carrying out, subsequently, heat-treatment at a temperature within the range of 1,200 to 900.degree. C. for at least 5 seconds; coiling the hot rolled cast strip at a temperature not higher than 600.degree. C.; descaling the rolled cast strip; cold rolling the cast strip; conducting annealing, pickling or bright annealing; and conducting skin pass rolling, whenever necessary.