A method for performing an operation on an article, the article including a plurality of fiducial marks and a set of features. A digital imaging system is used to capture a digital image of the article, which is analyzed to determine spatial relationships between positions of the features and positions of the fiducial marks. The article is positioned in proximity to an instrument and a fiducial sensing system including a plurality of fiducial sensors is used to determine positions of the fiducial marks. Predicted positions of the features are determined responsive to the determined spatial relationships and the determined fiducial mark positions. The position of the instrument or the article is adjusted responsive to the predicted positions of the features, and the instrument is used to perform an operation on the article.