Over-under-over/over-over-under(3X wheel lacing)

I used a good trick (maybe from the art of wheelbuilding ebook) which is to put little flags of masking tape about 2/3 of the way along the spoke towards the nipple end (leave enough space to get the spoke key on and off the nipple easily).

Nice idea that. I actually wrapped some masking tape around some pointed pliers. To grip the spokes while truing/tensioning. This sorted the problem, but was a bit time consuming.

Spoke prep on the threads, and lube on the shoulders of the nipples, gives a better finished wheel (IMHO). But the poke prep can give a false feeling of tension and cause wind-up, so make the building part a little more tricky.