[sdiy] Front Panel for DIY Synth

[A.L.]

hello everyone,

i'm looking for some advice on how to make a front panel for a diy 
synth (or where to have one made).

i'd like to make a front panel to fit into a 19" rack with precisely 
placed holes for knobs and 3.5mm sockets.
even if i would have access to a saw and a drill for cutting aluminum 
(or something else) and drilling all the holes, i'd be very concerned 
about the precision. i have four rows of eight 3.5mm sockets, and i'd 
like them to be well aligned. there's also midi ins and outs and a 
number of knobs.

do people here build panels themselves, or do you have them made?
is it possible to design a front panel (on the computer? on paper?) and 
have a single one made for a reasonable sum somewhere?

and how could one print text on it? i'd prefer to have it look 
professional and well-built rather than hand cutting and hand drilling 
the material, and then writing on it with a marker...

thanks very much for any suggestions

alex