in addition to cardboard for templates, try using that plastic stuff that toys and electronics are packed in. You know, the stuff that you can never open without a razor and then you end up cutting yourself on the darn plastic (clamshell packaging i think is what it is called). An advantage of the clear plastic is that you can see where you are placing the template and can get a more exact location for it. Add a LITTLE heat (heat gun or blow dryer) and you can shape it a little to mold to your plug for an even crisper line.
WOWTHANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL. you guys are GREAT cant wait to start more plugs. will be heading out to pick up more supplys this weekend.
GOOD LUCK GOOD PLUGGIN
Salty come to the plug builders gathering charlestown breachway in charlestown RI this weekend. I'll pack up some super thins german graf. caps for you.
Couple other thing to bare in mind about stencils. If you hold them right up against the plug you'll get a very abrupt line. Hold the stencil a little off the plug (1/2 inch or so) and you'll get a little softer fade to the lines/dots. Both can be useful at times. Practice on some dowels or reject plugs first to get it down, then go for the good stuff.
In rattle cans it's all about the angle, having the plug in the proper angle to the direction of the spray you can achieve some great effects like gills, eye shadows and highlights never mind the layering of colors.
I use a collection of old thru wires and some stencils when I am too lazy to break out the Badger.
At A.C. Moore and Michael's they sell really great stencil cutters ( they are electric like a soldering iron with a heated fine tip) and different weights of plastic stencil sheet that is 8-1/2 x 11.
All you do is draw out the design and cut the stencil with the tool.
I take the sheets and set the wife's oven at 250 degrees on bake then set the plug blank on a wire support and set the plastic stencil sheet on top and watch as the plastic melts slowly and sets over the plug shape. As soon as it has set to where you want it It comes out and is dropped into the sink full of cool water. Now you have a stencil that fits that certain plug. I learned this from watching Stan Gibbs do the same thing with thin black bakelite sheets and a dremel type tool to cut out the designs like mackerel vermiculations. Works well and cheap dough.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL. you guys are GREAT
cant wait to start more plugs. will be heading out to pick up more supplys this weekend. 
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