Stickers are the starter option — foil-backed, forgiving, no tools — but their thick edges catch light and read as stickers from any angle. Waterslides are the modeler’s standard: soaked, slid into place, and settled with solution, their film disappears under a topcoat for a painted-on result.
The honest path: use the kit’s stickers on your first build, then try waterslides on your second with a setter/softener pair. The technique takes one evening to learn and upgrades every build after.
Go deeper in our panel lining & decals guides.