The object of the present invention is to provide multi-ply platforms suitable for the manufacture of decorative panels and decorative panels incorporating such multi-ply platforms, which multi-ply platforms improve the resistance to deformation caused by changes in relative humidity and/or temperature of, or around, such decorative panels. This object is achieved by providing multi-ply platforms comprising a plurality of plies which are arranged so that the platform is substantially unbalanced around its central plane. The unbalanced platform is achieved by, arranging the plies such that at least two adjacent plies have substantially the same main grain direction and/or that two plies having substantially the same main grain direction are separated only by one or more neutral plies. These unbalanced platforms are intended to be bonded to a further ply to form a substantially balanced decorative panel.