I have a touch plate as well, but long ago started using the paper method.
Much quicker and probably just as accurate - Plus sometimes [usually roughing] I like to undercut [and occasionally over], so I can just eyeball .1 or so above the workpeice and zero there, something not easily possible using a plate.
I agree that actually marking center of material is neither efficient or accurate, or necessary for that matter. I think my tape is good to a 1/16th, thats good enough for my purposes. If more accuracy than that is required, then you'd be getting out of pure visual methods.