Abstract: A holder (10) for holding a substrate (L) during vacuum coating comprises a base body (12) with a masking portion (14) provided with an opening (16) adapted to receive the substrate. The opening in the masking portion is shaped to correspond to or closely match the shape of the substrate to be held without substantial gaps therebetween. The masking portion is provided with a slot (22) that extends radially outward from an inner edge (18) of the opening. A narrow spring arm of a spring arrangement mounted to the holder is received in the slot and adapted to resiliently bear against an outer edge (E) of the substrate to urge the substrate toward a support area (24) at the inner edge of the opening on a side opposite said slot. Further, a loading/unloading device (60) for loading the substrate into such holder and for unloading it therefrom is proposed.