My Trick Pony
Categories: Men's Clothing, Women's Clothing [Edit]
Neighborhood: Castro742 14th St
(between Belcher St & Church St)
San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 861-0595
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
114 Reviews for My Trick Pony
One of My Trick Pony's Favorite Reviews
They helped me make the single best present for a new, gap-toothed boyfriend ever: a t shirt that says "diasematastic" with a little gap between the two humps of the m. They were fun to work with, super speedy, and affordable.
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Okay, My Trick Pony clearly does not need another 5-star review, but I just can't help myself.
I dragged my nerdy ass in there, a little shy because I am no where near being cool or trendy enough to hang out at this place. And yes, it feels like a place you could just kick back at-comfy chairs and all.
I went in with a pretty lame idea in mind ("well, she likes cats, she has like 4 cats, how about a shirt with cats on it?"), and whipped it into a super cool design (monsters, anyone?).
I don't care if my review makes no sense to you, I heart My Trick Pony.
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I went back to MTP today to get some work done for some of my peoples as thank yous, and I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Matteo who I would very much like to sop up with a biscuit and eat up like a fat kid loves cake.
I really appreciated how easy going he is, his great stories about moving to SF from Seattle, and in general his wise advice on design and what looks best.
Now I need to go back again and again, not only for my own designs (I need to stop being so nice and getting stuff for other people and get my own stuff done), but because I heart Matteo. That boy is GOOD.
BTW, Mica has moved onto bigger and better things, which is fine and dandy, but I do have the SF Magazine with him wearing a towel, and that's all the candy a sweettooth needs. Matteo, let me know when you're ready for your close up, doll! Kisses!
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02/15/2008
Let's make one thing perfectly clear: I hate procrastinating, but I do it like a mothereffer, just… Read more »
Gen and I had discovered this delightful artistic haven a few weeks ago. Located inconspicuously on 14th and Sanchez, once you walk inside, it's hard to walk out again. Old antique ponies and other animals decorate the front, while a few soft leather chairs and sofas provide comfort while you peruse the myriad design books while searching for a graphic to stamp on a shirt (or hat, or underwear, or whatever you you want). They have a few transfer options, including chromablast (basically a direct photographic transfer of the image) as well as graphic transfer via stencil and silk screening. While you might decide on one of the in house designs, I figured I'd go for something truly unique (based on the price required to create the product, it had better damn well be good!). So after running the SF marathon I had the idea to create a shirt that said "I ran for Tartine" with an image of a cake that I converted from a photo to a sketch using photoshop and illustrator on the front, and then the SF marathon logo of "13.1" on the back. I created the final images in illustrator as ai files and sent them to the people at My Trick Pony, who worked with me to perfect the design and print it out on their handy stencil cutting machine. The design is then peeled off and ironed onto your shirt of choice. But beware, the more colors and designs you chose, the more your bank account suffers. While I had originally hoped to create a shirt with a front and back design in two colors, I ended up going for a single color only (which turned out to be fantastic anyway). I must say that the service is top notch. They will work with you patiently until you are satisfied with the results- yet the process is quite quick! It took only 45 minutes to complete the shirt, and that includes time working in illustrator. Definitely a place to go if you want to make sure your teeshirt comes out looking the way you had envisioned!
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Date & Time: Saturday July 26, 2008 @ 2pm & Saturday August 2, 2008 @ 2pm
Company: Kate & Michael & Jack
Crowd: Cool Neighborhood Peeps & Ladies having 30 Themed Shirts Made
Vibe: Cozy
Decor: Whimsical & Charming. Merry-Go-Round Ponies. Chicken in Glass Domes. Striped Walls. Modern Sofas. Albums & Albums of Prints by Talented Artists to Choose From to Decorate your Clothing Piece of Choice. SATC & SJP Framed Drawings($200) Decorate the Walls.
Service: Talented, Nice, Enthusiastic
Must-Haves: Hats, Tees, Tanks, Hoodies & Doggie Clothes to Custom Design Down to the Perfect Colors
Purchase: Hawt Brown Tank w/ Turquoise Stripes & Fuzzy Yellow Bird. Kate A. Chose the Adorable Print and Cool Colors. For Michael- Black Hoodie w/ Copper Print, For Gen- Black & Grey Tanks - Each Tank w/ 3 Different Colors. Total: $179.03
Total: $45 for The Customized Image & Colors otherwise $35 Finished in 15 Minutes, Awesome!!! $10 for Each Additional Color
Notes: Written on The ChalkBoard was Brandon Joseph Baker's Little Monsters Reception @ 7:30pm Saturday August 2nd
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Have you ever said to yourself "I wish I had something like ____" and not been able to find it in the store because the images are off, or just too generic for your taste? Get out of the stores that make you feel like you're settling and wear what you want, whatever that may be!
This store is so much fun. You can take any image and have it put on clothing you already own and love (and want to customize) or you can pick up something there and make it special from the stare.
There are a ton of books with prints for you to choose from, or you can bring in your own image and they can work with that. The cost is roughly $20.00 per square foot for the print screen and worth it. They can do it for you right there, so the wait time is about 10-15 minutes (I love the instant gratification of my purchases)
In no time I was sporting my Salvador Dali tee and getting massive compliments. I can't wait to take more boring tee shirts and plain hoodies down to give them that "something extra"
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i'm an artist. i had shirts made at MY TRICK PONY. They seemed really kinda nice, and said they could copy the print that i gave them and it would be done in a week. A month later they had still not done what i had asked them to do and i had to come back to retrieve my art. Bummer.
I still liked the way their equipment worked, so i had them print up six tshirts with much "less complicated prints". They came out with many patches and missing lines.
As an artist, having my art ruined like that was really very insulting. Too bad i would have liked to work more with them. At the end of everything they were very rude and did not give me a deal on the messed up art work that they had done.
I highly dont suggest going here. Learn how to screen print yourself it is so much more satisfying, and easy. Go to the Mission Cultural Center on mission between 24th and 25th. They will teach you and then let you use their stuff for free after you teach you.
In my opinion, these my trick pony people are lazy and dont like to do work they are not interested in.
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Their service was excellent; they gave us so much input and great info, and my friend and I loved our shirts. Love them!
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- Great service
- My favorite place
We walked in, they said "Hi" we made snide comments... We were killing time before Amber opened up... because we like to drink... I am going to come back and silk screen a picture of poop and pee on the undies they have. It will be amazing.
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They made my dream of defending East Palo Alto a reality... What more can I say than that? The people were cool and the owner's parents were hanging in the shop.
Thanks again!
5 stars. The friendly guy (I can't remember who it was now) helped me find a picture and designed awesome t-shirts for me.
I highly, I highly recommend. A little expensive, but that's what you get when you want a well-thought out and customized t-shirt. This isn't just slap some words on and iron it, they really work with you to make your friends ridiculous wedding present as special as possible.
100th review!
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I couldn't Yelp My Trick Pony until after Christmas since my boyfriend, whom the customized item was for, might have seen it. Mica did a fantastic job in RECORD time with the special apron I wanted designed for a Christmas present. Y.P. had been wanting an apron for a long time and I thought about hitting up some graphic designer friends for help since, lordy knows, I have ZERO skill in the Creativity Department. Mica was able to do me one better and for much cheaper than I was expecting to pay. I kept asking if I could tip him or do something to show my gratitude-- I really thought the process would be more painful-- and he said, "Have you heard of Yelp?" Little did he know, that's how I stumbled upon this jewel.
Highly recommend My Trick Pony-- I can hardly wait until I have the opportunity to use them again!
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Bottom line: This place is the best. They make custom graphics absolutely painless - even fun! They are super nice folks, the shop is fun and the prices are totally reasonable. Don't hesitate - go see them.
I can't say enough good things about my experience at My Trick Pony. Like so many people, I had a very specific idea of what I wanted done, but no idea how to do it. I wanted to make a shirt for my sweetie for Christmas with one word on the front, in a very stylized font. After much laboring over how to do it, my super graphic design buddy said, "Have you tried My Trick Pony?" I called the shop about two weeks before Christmas - sure that I would find them harried, over-booked and way too cool. Matteo was wonderful and completely reassuring on the phone. He told me to come on in and explain what I wanted. I made the drive over from Oakland and found the delightful shop. Matteo and Mica were there and were, again, wonderful.
The shop is fun to be in and there's lots to look at, without being overwhelming. It's a refreshing combination of hip and low-key. I was a little nervous, but Matteo assured me there was nothing to be embarrassed about. (I think they've seen it all in there.) Mica helped me find the perfect font in no time and made a perfect recommendation for the color combination of graphic and shirt. They were both very sensitive, as well as hilarious and fun. This place is professional and relaxed. I was expecting to have to come back later for my shirt, but they printed that sucker within 30 minutes of my walking in the door (and most of that time was me dragging my feet about the color).
One trip - a price that won't break your budget - fun, nice guys - and my sweetie loved the shirt! It's very rare to have such an all-around good experience. I can't wait to go back and do it again.
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This place is great. I have walked by this place almost everyday and until recently always wondered what it was.. so I went to Yelp and realized I'd discovered a little piece of heaven. So I went in on a whim one day just to feel it out. Micah greeted me and he was extremely helpful. I had an idea so he searched around on the internet for a similar photo to work with and did some quick Photoshop magic to give me a taste of what it could look like. I told him I would return with my own photo when ready.
Next time in Matteo was there and he was amazing. He seemed even more excited about my design than I did. He was very helpful, didn't mind that I looked over his shoulder while he worked, and genuinely took an interest in what I was try to accomplish, who it was going for and why, and what kind of person I was. I feel that this kind of knowledge always enhances work and you know that real appreciation is going into it. He was also very helpful when I was trying to decide on color combinations. A great and talented man indeed.
When I got the shirt I was so happy. I just gave it to my boyfriend yesterday and he loves it and it looks wonderful on him. And like other people have said, this place doesn't break the wallet. So go in and create something wonderful and unique!
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I came to My Trick Pony because I was on a quest. For the longest time I wanted a t-shirt with a cowgirl on it. I'm not into country music or anything, I just think cowgirls are cool. They ride horses, wear hats and have pistols strapped to thier hip.
I long to be a cowgirl one day.
Anyhow, I never found just the right kind of t-shirt. She had to be a busty, curvy, sexy cowgirl with a vintage 1950's pin-up girl kind of look. Classy with just a subtle hint of trashiness. Not easy to find.
Within about 10 minutes of arriving at MTP Matteo and his trusty side-kick intern Nathan were on the case. We searched the internet for just the right girl. We found a few 'reverse-cowgirls', but I couldn't wear that kind of t-shirt to work....or to my mom's....or in front of children.
Using thier graphics software and their mammoth-huge monitor, the image was turned into a single color grahic and then heat=stamped onto a tank top I selected from their stock. My t-shirt cost $35, might be pricey but no one will ever have a cowgirl like mine.
While the graphic for my t-shirt was being prepared I chatted with Matteo and had a great time. Want to know what the most bizarre t-shirt has ever been designed at MTP?? Ask me, I won't post it in a review.
Not only did I leave with a new kick-ass t-shirt I felt as though I had made a new friend. Matteo! If you ever visit LA, hit me up!!!
Gracias My Trick Pony....you guys rock!!
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This is my first yelp review!! I have found a lot of helpful information on yelp so I would like to contribute my 2 cents. I learned of My Trick Pony on yelp even though I walk past it every day on the way to work and back...I went in yesterday to check it out...I had no brilliant ideas, just a silly one...but I had my shirt made anyway and I LOVE it...I can't wait to wear it out on Saturday. Theyguy working was super sweet and helpful! I will be back time and time again to make stuff for myself and my friends. I am in the process of creating a really dirty shirt for my best gay! ;o)
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I don't want to write this review! I WANT THIS PLACE ALL TO MYSELF!!!!
IT'S MINE!
In fact, this place sucks so bad, don't go there.
Ok, no. This is the greatest business within 5 miles of my house. I'm not kidding. I went in with a vague idea of what I wanted (trust me, I'm no artist) and Nathan and Mica were beyond helpful and creative and the two bags Nathan designed for me are the awesomest. In fact, two days after I had one of my bags made, a man offered me $100 for it and I said "Fuck No Baby! It's one of a kind!" And then I wouldn't tell him where I had it made and I ran away laughing like a maniac. Ok, so that last part isn't true, but the part about the $100 is.
I will be back a million times, at least.
And, while a custom t-shirt will cost you about $30 or so, it's so worth it. It's a great feeling knowing you're wearing something original.
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My Trick Pony doesn't really need another good review..... I mean there are plenty to go around and they deserve it. But the two times I have worked with them went so well I just had to chime in.
Both times, I had my own designs ready and supplied my own blanks, but they were still happy to work with me. They have such an awesome set-up and are very skilled and extremely friendly. Their shop's atmosphere oozes with fun and creativity.
I will most certainly work with them again!
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8 Kabillion stars!
I've gone to My Trick Pony twice in the past. The first time I wandered in to have a tshirt made for my beloved Beefcube (tshirt=cow cubed. Beautiful!) and ended up having two more made because I just couldn't stop (and couldn't resist the fuzzy letters. I often pet myself.)
Matteo and Mica were highly entertaining and played awesome music. And the two tshirts I gave as presents scored BIG TIME. That Matteo draws a good tent!
The second time was just as wonderful as the first. I got calls and texts all day long thanking me for the tshirt.
But only now do I truly understand. For here I am in Blighty, homesick as hell and ready to get my ass back to SF already. I miss my friends, especially Dana who lovingly calls me Cupcake. Today I got a care package and inside it was a beautifully designed shirt - a cupcake with glasses and pigtails!!! If I knew how to create some fancy html shit there would be fireworks exploding off the last sentence. I LOVE IT SO MUCH! The combination of the tshirt and a beautifully crocheted hat, scarf and fingerless glove set was enough to reduce me to a puddle.
Of course I called her immediately to bawl down the phone. And when I calmed down enough I asked her if she had fun at My Trick Pony (like I needed to ask...) Yep, 90 minutes of delight, says Dana.
Bottom line - go here. Yes, there are other places that screen a design on a tshirt, but the effort and originality and creativity in this place is unreal. My Trick Pony is love.
Thank you so much.
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Immediate gratification---I simply cannot believe how fast & easy it was to get the t-shirt I wanted.
I came in with nothing but an idea and a chosen font (helvetica, naturally). And within less than a 1/2 hour, I had exactly what I wanted. The store is eclectic, the music great, and the guys themselves super cool.
We're hooked---next year, everyone on my xmas list is getting custom Ts from my trick pony.
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I came in to make a little hoodie for my friend's baby. The baby has had 3 open heart surgeries and has come out of each a little warrior. Matteo designed a hoodie better than I had imagined. I loved it so much I ordered 3 more shirts for me and two as Christmas presents!
Designing a shirt and having it made for you right then and there feels like getting a tattoo without the commitment. You get to express yourself and wear it for others to see. My suggestion is to walk in with an idea though. Even if it's just a word or a thought of a thought. They are great with helping you find images and get ideas, but it can be overwhelming if you come in with no idea what you want to do.
Bonus: Matteo is just really fun to talk to while he works on your shirt.!
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The Pony is amazing! Berlin helped me and she did a killer job, worked with me for an hour so my tribute to Michael Showalter shirt was perfect.
Mica and Mateo are amazing too. Total sweethearts.
My Trick Pony will make you the best shirt you've ever seen!
I wanted to customize two shirts for my boyfriend, who is a million miles removed from the urban fashionista universe that is My Trick Pony. But I went in anyway.
The guy who helped me was super sweet and friendly, even though it was clear that the job I was asking him to do -- printing quotes on t-shirts -- didn't come close to working his creative nerve. What I ended up with, though, was exactly what I wanted. Better still, it can't have taken more than fifteen minutes. Kudos to My Trick Pony and the nice guy who helped me -- and to his mom, who was visiting and who was probably the only other person in the room who didn't think my text-on-t-shirts were really lame.
Next time I'll think of something that's more of a challenge.
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When I walked into My Trick Pony the first time I slipped and almost passed out when I hit the floor. Lucky me, Mica was there to resuscitate (read: MAKEOUT WITH) me. He then proceeded to make me an ice pack, design a really cute flyer for my website, and pick up takeout for our lunch - all at the same time!
He, is like, a total dream! SHOP HERE!
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So, Mimi's birthday is upon us, and while we've already gotten her a present, we need a little extra something to bring to her fete. What I decide that I need, more than anything in the world, is a t-shirt with Mimi and her beloved dog Nacho being carried off by pterodactyls. Unfortunately, Google images didn't have bloodthirsty enough pterodactyls, so I settled on some swooping eagles, creating this masterpiece:
http://static.px.yelp....
I then call My Trick Pony, because their reputation (rightly so) precedes them. "I, uh, need a t-shirt for my friend's birthday today." "Okay, any idea what you want on it?" "Well, I have the artwork." "Okay, e-mail it over."
I e-mail it over, with the note, "here is the artwork of...well, I think the picture speaks for itself." Matteo gets immediately back to me, and tells me what I suspect...that the picture is too detailed, although they can do a sub dye, which will have a faded effect. I opt for this, and later I went in person to get everything settled.
Matteo did an admirable job of trying to dissuade me from doing the exact print...he was so worried that it might be something that Mimi would never wear, and offered to whip up a cool graphic tee with the same "Mimi and Nacho get carried off" theme. He is so concerned and cool about you getting something amazing that you unequivocally love, and I really think that's at the heart of My Trick Pony's success.
Being in the store is certainly more than enough to make you want to design as many cool graphic tees as will fit in your closet. Inspiration runs rife from wall to wall, from the books and decals left around, to the fabulous pony themed interior.
You must go there. It's as simple as that.
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See review by Tanya Z...
Love my b-day gift!!! I am looking forward to wearing it to my next hot date..if the guy digs the shirt for sure he is keeper.
If I can score a day off I am paying this joint a visit...
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I absolutely love My Trick Pony! Mica is the best- so artistic and reliable. I won't go anywhere else for shirts!
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This place gets nothing but thumbs up from this Monkey. As a completely ridiculous gag gift I got a couple T's with a lewd image upon it with a slogan that in the end made the wearing look like a drunk. Anyway it was a great job done and worth returning to for more of my customizing clothing needs,
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Mica is a friend of mine but that is not the only reason I say he is a great graphic artist, adding life to what would otherwise be a boring idea (how many overly urban-outfitters esque hipster silkscreen shirts are there out there these days?). I digress. Well, he's brilliant and also this store is just completely adorable. It's a little spendy to have something of your own design transferred to silkscreen for you, but as a non-crafty person, I am probably underestimating the skill required to do the job.
I have lived literally right around the corner from this place since it opened two years ago and always fancied myself DRASTICALLY uncool enough to go in. I would stare, longingly, as I passed it to go to Amber, or Cybelle's, or the sh*tty chinese food place. Finally, last Sunday, buzzing off a mid-afternoon Toronado high, I went in to have a T-shirt made for my sister. They couldn't be nicer. The t-shirt is the freaking bomb. And I got invited to the party. Way to make me feel cool, guys.
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ALL I CAN SAY.....
4 dicks 3 chicks n' Penina shirt ROCK!
http://www.flickr.com/...
Thanks AJ, you are worthy of a lap dance!
http://www.flickr.com/...
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My Trick Pony Rocks! If you want a cool funky place to have custom designs put on your t-shirts this is the place to go. The staff is uber creative and I ALWAYS get compliments on my shirts.
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***I saved REVIEW #100 just for MTP***
Thanks Matteo for making a totally custom gift for my boyfriend's special birthday!
I probably spent 30 minutes ooOOooOodling at the mini artwork portfolios, picking out a garment color and graphic size. Tons of choices to suit anyone's attitude, personality or lifestyle, and Matteo is of course there with plenty of constructive criticism and suggestions with graphic placement, styles, etc. He even knew some cool info about the local female artist who designed the sexy silhouette vectors I chose.
I'll be back to spoil myself soon!
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Personally, I love this place because I am definitely not that creative person who happens to just throw a design down and say MAKE THIS! I am that girl that likes to find SF artists that have some flair and flaunt it on my shirts like I am the sh**. Basically, my point is... You do not have to be super creative to get an awesomely creative shirt made. If you happen to have that artist gene then hey... More power to you and I will be looking for your work the next time I walk in. The people are super nice and even though I was told my order would not be done for a couple of days I got a phone call the day after I placed the order saying it was done. Check them out. Don't be afraid to just walk in, look around, and walk out even. I can guarantee you will be back wanting more.
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A couple months back I asked Matteo to build me a t-shirt based off a couple of photos I showed him. I wanted to give him a mental snapshot of what was going on in my brain, but he didn't need it; he has a special lens into your creative subconscious.
Anyway, he made the shirt and I was happy.
I wore it once, took off for a trip to Iran and had all my things stolen, including the beloved shirt, the thing I had planned on being buried in.
After my return I went straight down to the Pony, he remembered me, remembered the design and had a new shirt for me in less than five minutes.
Go there and pay him money. You'll be happy.
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6 Dudes. 12 Boobs. One design by the radical Michael E. Green t-shirts, yellow print. 24 hours at My Trick Pony and VOILA! Some kick ass relay team shirts that ooze awesomeness. I'll let you know if we win.
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1 Dolphin Logo off the Internet - free
5 custom made T-shirts from My Trick Pony - $190
5 pairs of shorts from American Apparel - $135
5 entry fees for the 5th Annual Flip Cup Tournament - $150
Explaining the definition of an Angry Dolphin to others - PRICELESS
I can't thank My Trick Pony enough for delivering the best T-shirts of the Flip Cup Tournament. If you need a place that will put together a T-shirt for any sporting event, then go to My Trick Pony. They had a turnaround time of 24 hours and the quality was fantastic. Team Angry Dolphins were flipping cups in style.
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I am in love with My Trick Pony! I had a t-shirt design idea for my girlfriend and wanted to give it to her for her b-day. Unfortunately that was the following day. My co-workers recommended MTP to print it. I emailed them and told them about the last minute deadline. They were totally cool about it, said to come in that evening and drop off the disk. I loved the style of their store. They have art exhibitions there and keep up the featured work. It's a print shop that feels more like a cool boutique/gallery that you want to linger in. The guys were super nice and gave my t-shirt priority since it was a gift. It was ready for the birthday brunch the next day and the gold print was gorgeous. Anyway, I'm now a big fan.
I went in today to design my 3rd costume-made T at MTP. E very experience I have had there has been fantastic, on account of the witty, stylish, friendly and efficient staff!
Matteo has created a monster, a fabulous monster! Micah designed my last minute birthday T today with all the patience and professionalism in the world. Ever time I had a suggestion, he came back with the perfect visual or the most suitable arrangement.
If you haven't gone here yet, do yourself a favor and hurry your ass up!
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