A method for the surface decoration of a basic article comprising ceramic material and having at least one surface; the method comprises a conveying step, during which the basic article is conveyed along a given path through an application station, a work station, arranged downstream of the application station, and a removal station, arranged downstream of the work station; an application step, during which a printing assembly arranged at the application station applies an adhesive material selectively in at least a defined area of the surface so that at least a further area of the surface different from the defined area is left without adhesive material; a deposition step, during which a treatment assembly arranged in the work station deposits a powder material on the adhesive material selectively in the defined area of the surface so as not to cover at least part of the further area of the surface itself; and a removal step, during which the powder material in excess (in particular, not bound to the adhesive material) arranged on the basic article is removed in the removal station; the basic article being conveyed through the work station in an advancing direction; the treatment assembly comprises at least a container, which is adapted to contain the powder material, and has an outlet mouth, whose longitudinal extension is transversal (in particular, perpendicular) to the advancing direction; a plurality of distribution members, which are arranged in series along the outlet mouth; a plurality of actuators, each of which moves a respective distribution member between a closed position, wherein the respective distribution member blocks the passage of the powder material through the area of the outlet mouth in which it is arranged, and an open position, wherein the respective distribution member allows the passage of the powder material through the area of the outlet mouth in which it is arranged; the method being further characterized in that, during the application step, the printing assembly applies the adhesive material onto the surface digitally so as to reproduce a defined pattern on the surface itself; during the deposition step, the treatment assembly deposits the powder material digitally so as to reproduce a further defined pattern on the surface; the pattern and the further pattern coincide. a conveying step, during which the basic article is conveyed along a given path through an application station, a work station, arranged downstream of the application station, and a removal station, arranged downstream of the work station; an application step, during which a printing assembly arranged at the application station applies an adhesive material selectively in at least a defined area of the surface so that at least a further area of the surface different from the defined area is left without adhesive material; a deposition step, during which a treatment assembly arranged in the work station deposits a powder material on the adhesive material selectively in the defined area of the surface so as not to cover at least part of the further area of the surface itself; and a removal step, during which the powder material in excess (in particular, not bound to the adhesive material) arranged on the basic article is removed in the removal station; the basic article being conveyed through the work station in an advancing direction; the treatment assembly comprises at least a container, which is adapted to contain the powder material, and has an outlet mouth, whose longitudinal extension is transversal (in particular, perpendicular) to the advancing direction; a plurality of distribution members, which are arranged in series along the outlet mouth; a plurality of actuators, each of which moves a respective distribution member between a closed position, wherein the respective distribution member blocks the passage of the powder material through the area of the outlet mouth in which it is arranged, and an open position, wherein the respective distribution member allows the passage of the powder material through the area of the outlet mouth in which it is arranged; the method being further characterized in that, during the application step, the printing assembly applies the adhesive material onto the surface digitally so as to reproduce a defined pattern on the surface itself; during the deposition step, the treatment assembly deposits the powder material digitally so as to reproduce a further defined pattern on the surface; the pattern and the further pattern coincide.