The invention relates to a method for inserting a spring (3) into a longitudinal-side or head-side groove (4) of element panels (5) which can be laid in combination, wherein the element panels (5) can be locked together by means of a movement of the spring (3) relative to the element panels (5), having the following steps: a) providing springs (3) on a supply belt (6), wherein the springs (3) are releasably connected to the supply belt (6); b) detaching the springs (3) from the supply belt (6); c) moving the springs (3) into the groove (4) of a provided element panel (5).