Stitch, dash, veneer, etc. rings are very much inlays. They're not decals.
A slot is milled and the INLAY strip is hand-fitted & glued into the slot.
If that's not inlay, I don't know what is.
However, a single, double or even triple metal, plastic, wood or whatever ring is not
inlaid. It's a simple deco-ring that is part of the 'stack' that makes up the joint
collar, butt sleeve/cap or possibly even the 'A' joint.
No offense to 'The Book' but theirs is only one opinion. Just like mine.
If they don't want to count dashes in ring-work, it's their prerogative. It's their book.
KJ