The invention relates to the field of providing coatings for articles, said coatings provided to enhance the visual appearance of the articles such as doors, for furniture, sporting goods and in general any articles where the appearance can be enhanced by providing a coating thereon. Typically the coatings can be provided to give the appearance that the article has been manufactured from a more expensive material, to provide advertising material thereon or generally to provide a more pleasing appearance to the eye. The invention provides a coating formed of a plastic sheet material to which has been applied at least one ink pattern which is viewable and said ink pattern is applied and the sheet material is of sufficient flexibility to enhance the appearance of the article and also to mimic the effect of contour changes of the articles. There is also provided a method of manufacturing the coating of the invention and of applying the coating to the article and provides a coating which is both novel over known coating types and provides increased flexibility and scope of visual and/or tactile effects which can be created.