The aims of this study was to obtain the relationship between the performance of adhesive and cold stamping quality, and to put forward the performance requirements of adhesive used for the online cold stamping in the offset printing line. The performance parameters such as viscosity, viscoelasticity, thixotropy, emulsification ratio, tack value, drying rate and solid content of a commercial adhesive for online cold stamping were tested. The relationship between the performance of adhesive and cold stamping quality was analyzed. The tack value of the adhesive should be large and kept stable. The drying rate should be quick. Printability requirements such as viscosity, viscoelasticity, thixotropy, emulsification ratio of the adhesive were the same as those of the common offset printing ink. On the premise of appropriate printability, tack value, drying rate, higher solid content of the adhesive was always better. The results would provide reference for improvement of adhesive and quality of online cold stamping in the offset printing line.