A method for manufacturing coated panels (1) of the type comprising at least a substrate (2) and a top layer (3) with a motif, said top layer being provided on said substrate (2), wherein the method for manufacturing the top layer (3) comprises at least two steps, namely, a first step (S4), in which a synthetic material layer (7) is provided on the substrate (2), and a second subsequent step (S5), in which a relief is provided on the surface of said synthetic material layer (7), wherein said relief comprises a pattern of recesses (13) and/or projections (14), wherein this pattern is at least partially determined by means of one or more prints (6), wherein said print (6) is situated above said synthetic material layer (7), wherein the respective print (6) is provided in a step following said first step (S4) and wherein such print (6) is performed with an agent which locally softens the synthetic material layer (7).