I just cut my first-ever set of templates. I used x-ray film which I heard about somewhere and a friend supplied me with a huge stack! I started by trying to copy the lines with a ruler and then cutting. Had a better idea . . . I put my template sheet of paper on the table, put a small piece of double-backed tape in the corners of all the templates. Put the x-ray film on top where it stuck to the paper. Cut around all the templates. The paper is now stuck to the back side of the templates and I don't have to transfer any piece numbers, colors, or anything. It's all there.
Maybe this is an old trick, but it worked so well for this newbie that I thought I'd share.