Any time you can reduce the difference in the decal surface and the headstock. You are ahead of your work. So my decal media is thin but hardy, which is perfect for vintage projects that are top mounted. Be sure to watch more than one tutorial if possible if this is a do it yourself project. There are good points in most of them that can be very helpful, if not for any other reason than maybe a new lacquer product. There are only a few restoration quality decals offered and the rest are not even options done in laser or inkjet. Ours are not lacquered in advance like Oldfret. So just a thin coat to help install. Some customers for vintage installs pre-lacquer before applying.