a method for manufacturing of a decorative element , particularly intended to be used as an emblem on a motor vehicle , comprises the steps of forming a body of a transparent plastic material , having a front face and a back face which comprises a base surface and at least a shaped hollow impression defining a tridimensional symbol raised with respect to the base surface , applying a decoration layer usually colored and / or providing an ornamental pattern , on the base surface , and forming a metalized layer on the back face by a paint containing metallic pigments so that also the inner surface of each hollow impression is coated . the pigments of the metalized layer are laminar metallic pigments , and the metalized layer is made by spray applying a plurality of coats of pigmented paint according to mutually crossing directions , in which the pigments are oriented parallel to the surface of the back face .