Method for manufacturing panels having a decorative surface

A method for manufacturing panels having a decorative surface, wherein the panels include a plate shaped substrate and a top layer, and the top layer includes a paper layer having a printed pattern, the method comprising:

• providing the paper layer with a treatment, including providing the paper layer with an ink receiving substance;
• providing the treated paper layer with at least a portion of the printed pattern;
• wherein providing the portion of the printed pattern involves depositing pigment containing inks on the treated paper layer using a digital inkjet printer;
• wherein the digital inkjet printer is of a single pass type and wherein the printed pattern is applied to attain a definition of at least 200 dpi;
• wherein the pigment containing inks are water-based;
• wherein the printed pattern is a wood pattern, wherein the pigment containing inks include colored pigments and comprise only 4 different colors, and wherein the colors comprise yellow, black, and red;
• wherein the digital inkjet printer includes print heads with nozzles, and the depositing involves firing droplets of pigment containing inks from the nozzles onto the treated paper layer;
• wherein the paper layer is fed from a roll, printed upon, and rolled back up again, and wherein the paper layer, while printing, is flexible and is attached to the plate shaped substrate only after printing;
• providing a layer of thermosetting resin above the paper layer having the printed pattern and above the printed pattern;
• wherein providing the layer of thermosetting resin involves a press treatment;
• wherein the pigments are organic based;
• and
• wherein the layer of thermosetting resin comprises a paper layer having a weight of between 10 and 50 grams per square meter.