It really helps if you can get access to the technician who does the actual printing. Tell them what you are doing and show them some of the mounted prints when you are done. This goes a long way in encouraging their enthusiasm and cooperation. Ask for the same person to do your printing every time so you don't have to explain it again and again and again. The Template For a template I got a piece of scrap plexiglass.
Any thickness is ok as long as it's stiff enough.
You will need the extra space for cropping. I traced half an elipse on the top to give it an old-time feel. I cut the template out on my band saw and smoothed all the edges on my belt sander. I have practically no expense in this at all. Trimming Over time, I learned a little trick for trimming the prints.