since i started doing hydro i've been using rockwool or other rooting cubes... i pretty much treat the seeds the same way as i did with soil..
i soak the seeds for about 12 to 24 hours in plain room temp water and then place them into the rockwool cube.. other than the fact that i soak the rockwool cubes and watered the soil its the same thing... i assume you are talking about this vs. paper towel method.. i've never done that paper towel method... always just soaked seeds and straight into medium