[John Smith_]

Jack - how are your Free-Hand skills ?
I started out with plastic templates but all the while trying to improve my freehand skills to make my signs "different".
what kind of signs are you wanting to make ? any photos of past projects ?

 

[John Smith_]

I see - rails or trails ?
with a little practice, your free-hand skills will get you to where you would be satisfied with the results.
if it is trails, they should be sort of "rustic" (in my mind).
just print out the words on your home printer in the tile format, trim, glue together, spray glue the paper to the wood, and follow the lines. you can do it. practice practice practice.