A device that is adapted to wind a web of material includes a winding body to which a start of a material web can be connected. The material web is wound by rotation of the winding body which includes two clamping elements that can be displaced with respect to each other. A clamping gap is defined by these two clamping elements and the start of the material web can be placed in this clamping gap. These two clamping elements of the winding body are pressed against one another while clamping the start of the web. A guiding element, such as a plate is provided to guide the material web start to the clamping gap. A method for preparing a material roll is also disclosed.