The combination of individual craniofacial CAD/CAM implants and corresponding resection templates makes single-step bone resection and reconstruction possible. The geometric design of these templates should be defined experimentally concerning their precise and stable positioning. Three types of templates with a diameter of approximately 10x8 cm were used in the temporoparietal area of plastic skull models which were scanned by helical CT. The templates' contact to the skull surface differed from a planar circular contact to three defined contact points and a circular linear template-to-bone-contact. Precise and stable positioning of these templates was evaluated, and the resulting resection defects were again scanned by helical CT and were compared to the geometry of the planned defects within the CAD system. In clinical practice the use of the different types of templates was evaluated retrospectively in five patients and by intraoperative verification with a navigation system in another. Resection could be performed as planned in all experimental and clinical applications and the prepared corresponding implants did fit well. The experimental studies demonstrated that templates with a circular linear template-to-bone-contact should be preferred as they can be handled precisely both considering their positioning and their stability.