The present invention relates to a hot foil stamping process for printing a surface (24) and to a corresponding stamping foil, in particular for printing a plastic surface (24). The stamping foil (40) has at least one design or colour layer (20) and one melting layer (22). The stamping foil is pressed onto the surface (24) by means of a stamping die (30), wherein heat is introduced into the melting layer (16, 22) by means of high-frequency radiation (28).