Surface　nano-patterns　on　substrates　are　the　fundamental　structures　of　various　nano-devices.　Template-based　surface　nano-patterning　techniques　are　highly　efficient　methods　in　realizing　different　surface　nano-patterns.　The　time-saving　and　low-cost　fabrication　processes　of　the　template-based　surface　patterning　are　highly　desirable　for　industry　in　fabricating　different　kinds　of　nano-devices.　This　tutorial　review　summarizes　the　recent　advancements　in　the　field　of　template-based　surface　nano-patterning,　especially　focusing　on　three　templates　prepared　using　self-assembly　processes:　ultra-thin　alumina　membranes,　monolayer　polystyrene　sphere　arrays,　and　block　copolymer　patterns.　The　basic　concepts,　the　general　fabrication　processes,　the　structure-related　properties,　and　the　device　applications　of　these　template-based　surface　nano-patterning　techniques　are　introduced.