The present invention relates to a method for producing a polyvinyl chloride-free top layer (1) for a decking element (3), the method comprising the method steps indicated below:



A) Providing a base layer (4) comprising and/or consisting of plastic;
B) Printing a décor (6) on a top (5) of the base layer (4) facing a usable side (7);
C) Bonding, preferably laminating, a, preferably transparent, wearing surface (8) to the printed base layer (4) to form a, preferably solid, layer composite (9);
D) Embossing the layer composite (9) at least in some areas, preferably over the entire surface, with a structure (10) at least substantially synchronous with the décor (6), the structure (10) being embossed in such a way that it is visible both on the top (11) facing the usable side (7) and at least in some areas on the bottom (12) of the layer composite (9) facing away from the usable side (7);
E) Application of a surface sealing layer (17), preferably a lacquer layer, to the top (11) of the layer composite (9) facing the usable side (7);
F) optionally: curing of the surface sealing layer (17), preferably the lacquer layer.