I'm struggling with a small project that needs SMD parts as well. Mr. E sent me this link which I think is helpful if you are going to do it by hand:

http://www.infidigm.net/articles/solder/

I make my own boards because I never need the quanity to make it worthwhile to have them done professionally.

I use the laser printer method with the special toner paper then iron it onto my board. Once you do a bit of experimenting to get the iron temps right it makes a fairly clean transfer. Recently I started using the green film that is also made by the same company in addition to the toner transfer and that works very well. Makes nice clean lines and no etching pitting like there is with just the toner being the resist.

Bart