The invention relates to a method and a device for applying an adjustable tensile-stress distribution, in particular in the edge regions during the cold-rolling of metal strips (16), in particular metal foil, in order to reduce the risk of an excessive build-up of tension and cracks at the edges of the strip, which can lead as a negative consequence to cracks in the strip and to a reduction in production, and in order to improve the surface of the strip and its planarity, even for a relatively high strip displacement speed, and also to reduce strip trimming widths. To achieve these aims, at least one or a combination of two of the following measures are implemented: a) separation of lubrication and cooling of the working rolls by lubricating on the run-in side and cooling on the discharge side, b) additional influencing of the strip edges using a hot edge spray”, in particular by spraying (21) rolling oil with differing temperatures in zones, c) use of a special cross-sectional configuration of the working rolls (12, 12′) in the vicinity of the strip edges, which creates a partial material build-up during the blooming pass, said build-up forming a longer strip edge with subsequent passes, thus counteracting the risk of an excessive build-up of tensile stress.