A method is provided for manufacturing panels having a decorative surface, wherein the panels at least include a plate shaped substrate and a top layer, and wherein the top layer includes a printed pattern. The method may involve providing the plate shaped substrate with at least a portion of the printed pattern. Providing the portion of the printed pattern may involve depositing water based inks using a digital inkjet printer. The plate shaped substrate may include one or more intermediate layers at the surface to be printed. And the intermediate layers may include an inkjet receiver coating, such that the inks are deposited on the inkjet receiver coating.