The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for producing a steel strip, in particular a steel strip having a bainitic microstructure, such as for example a spring steel strip or a punching tool, wherein the steel strip is made to pass continuously through the following treatment steps: austenitization of the steel strip at a first temperature above the austenitization temperature; quenching of the steel strip, by means of a gaseous quenchant, to a lower, second temperature selected in accordance with a desired steel microstructure. According to the invention, the gaseous quenchant is conducted onto the steel strip in such a manner that uniform cooling is achieved over the width of the steel strip.