Method for preparing a laminate

A method for preparing a laminate comprising the steps of:

• pressing a first heater against upper and lower surfaces of a veneer for a predetermined period of time during which an inner portion of the veneer in the thickness direction is dried to the smallest extent than the surfaces so that a water content of the inner portion is kept higher than that of the surfaces;
• dividing the veneer in terms of its thickness into two counter veneers by means of an appropriate divider;
• placing a ligneous board between the counter veneers via an adhesive in such a manner that surfaces resulting from the dividing are disposed as outer surfaces, and that grains of the counter veneers substantially conform to each other;
• and
• pressing a second heater against the surfaces resulting from the dividing to effect bonding of the counter veneers and the ligneous board,
• wherein the period of time for pressing the first heater against the veneer is such that the surfaces and a region in a vicinity thereof, against which the first heaters have been pressed, are dried to a water content of between about 5% and about 20%, while the inner portion of the veneer in the thickness direction is dried to a water content higher than the fiber saturation point at which contraction begins.