a process for the manufacture of panels , wherein a superficial covering including at least one fabric portion is surrounded by an adjacent portion of plastic material , wherein the covering is coupled by molding to a plate of heated thermoplastic material , simultaneously with the shaping of the plate . the process brings a considerable area of the fabric portion into contact with the heated plate before coupling of the whole covering by utilizing at least one pressing element such as a dandy roll , or similar movable piece of the die , positioned in correspondence with the corresponding fabric portion .