Panels having a decorative surface may include a plate shaped substrate and a top layer, and the top layer may include a paper layer having a printed pattern. A method for manufacturing such panels may involve providing the paper layer with at least a portion of the printed pattern by depositing pigment containing inks using a digital inkjet printer of a single pass type. The printed pattern may have a definition of at least 200 dpi. The pigment containing inks may be water-based. The digital inkjet printer may include print heads with nozzles for firing droplets of pigment containing inks onto the paper layer. The droplets may have a volume smaller than 50 picoliters. The dry weight of the deposited pigment containing ink may be less than 10 grams per square meter. The printed pattern may cover 80 percent or more the paper layer. The paper layer may have a mean air resistance according to the Gurley method of below 30 seconds, and having a weight between 60 and 90 grams per square meter. The paper layer may be fed from a roll, printed upon, and rolled back up again. The paper layer, while printing, may be flexible and may be attached to the plate shaped substrate after printing. A layer of thermosetting resin may be applied above the paper layer and the printed pattern. Providing the layer of thermosetting resin may involve a press treatment. A counter layer or balancing layer may be applied to the substrate.