A process for the production of 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone diesters by aromatization of 2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1,4-dione (4-oxoisophorone, ketoisophorone, KIP) with an acylating agent and an acidic soluble or insoluble catalyst, which process may be operated alternatively continuously or discontinuously. The process includes the following steps: a) a carboxylic anhydride having a C1 to C4 alkyl residue is used as the acylating agent, b) after the reaction, a proportion of the resultant carboxylic acid is optionally removed by distillation, c) the reaction solution is cooled, d) the product which has crystallized out is separated and washed, and e) the filtrate is returned to step a).