Tape off the extra holes on the template so you don't put a hole in the wrong place. One benefit of going the cheap route of making my own templates from scrap wood - only one set of holes.
I find that a faster RPM drill makes for less bit clogging.

"For instance, when I was drilling the holes for the drawer fronts, I learned to place a piece of wood on the backside of the wood that I was drilling to prevent the wood from splintering."

That was going to be my suggestion, but you already figured this out. God job.

Carpenters never buy templates. You can make better ones in the shop.

No, don't drill before finishing, if you wipe the stain you'll get drag marks. I like to use a special drill bit that's a hybrid brad point type made by Festool in a 4mm size. It doesn't tear out from either side.
Casey

When I used those plastic templates in my kitchen, I put blue painter's tape on the underside of the template - it helped the template from wanting to move and protected the cabinet face from being scratched.

This post was edited by saltidawg on Sun, Mar 30, 14 at 16:56