The invention relates to a method and a film transfer unit for applying cold film material 7 to a sheet material 6 in a processing machine. The invention is based on the problem of improving a method and a film transfer unit in such a way that the quality of the film coating on a sheet material is improved and the available print format is utilized to an improved extent. This is solved by virtue of the fact that, by it being possible for the cold film material 7 to be transported in contact with the cylinder 1 at least in a press nip 10 in the conveying direction 3, the holding means 5 for the sheet material 6 are arranged on the back-pressure cylinder 2 in in each case one cylinder channel 4 within the circumferential surface 17, and the sheet leading edge of the sheet material 6 is fixed by means of the holding means 5 within the circumferential surface 17 and a maximum print format of the same sheet material 6 is arranged on the circumferential surface 17.