Wood Inlay for Fins

I’ve got some nice wood in thick blocks that I’m planning to use for my next keel fin project and I’d like to do some type of multi-wood design. Is it better to cut the blocks into the proper thickness and then glue the inlay patterns, or can I glue the inlay patterns with the thick blocks and then cut the whole thing into sheets? The second way seems easier and would guarantee identical patterns for each fin, but I haven’t done much wood working since 8th grade shop so I thought I’d ask the experts. Also, is Elmer’s wood glue good enough or is there a better glue that I should use?

A band saw will waste less wood than a table saw, since the blade is thinner. Getting a straight cut is more challenging though. I would think that you would have an easier time cutting the boards before gluing them. Slicing a 1/2’’ piece off of a fully glued 9’’ wide plank seems like it would be challenging. As long as you make all of your pieces the same size then you shouldn’t have a problem getting the patterns to match.

Elmer’s wood glue is probably fine, but I like to use Titebond III. You can get up it at Rockler on Clairmont Mesa Blvd.