A method for finishing a manufactured article by powder painting, comprising the step of applying, on a surface to be decorated of the manufactured article, one decorative layer obtained by means of the transfer by controlled migration of powder particles which originate from a graphic matrix arranged in front of the surface to be decorated and designed to adhere thereto; the transfer and adhesion steps being provided by a first electostatic field which comprises lines of force incident at right angles to the surface to be decorated, the manufactured article acting fully or partly as reference electrode for the first electrostatic field, so as to produce a condition of solid contact between the electrode and the surface to be decorated.