Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for applying a lubricant-carrier layer to the surface of a material which is to be cold-formed, in particular wire material (1) which is subsequently to be cold-drawn, the carrier layer being such that a lubricant can be applied over it. The material used to produce the layer is applied dry. A container is provided to hold a multiplicity of loose pressure-application elements plus a given quantity of the dry carrier-layer material. To produce the lubricant-carrier layer on the wire material, at least part of which is located at any given time inside the container, the pressure-application elements surrounding the wire material are caused to execute a motion such that they apply the carrier-layer material disposed between them to the surface of the wire material mechanically, the pressure-application elements making uniform contact with the surface of the wire material as they move relative to the surface.