You don't say what you're making or exactly what kind of marks need to be done.

In factories, there are tiny snips in the fabric at the seam allowances and tiny holes drilled into the fabric about one-quarter inch (I think) short of the end of the dart. I poke holes with an awl sometimes, always in the seam allowance.

Sometimes I put a large glass headed pin in to mark something, and press it with an iron and steam and use the impression the head made for my mark. (Works okay on solid fabric, not so great on prints.) You could pin it and mark the pin head with chalk, too.

Sometimes I bite the bullet and use tailor's tacks.

I agree about the tracing paper. It isn't what it used to be. It didn't always wash out, either. But *both* sides of the fabric? No, it should only be used on the *wrong* side of the fabric.

Are you using a tracing wheel?