The Rocket

The service is going down the drain.
I do images of a public domain character that no one owns the rights to. I wanted to make a shirt with an image of a greek mythological character I nor anyone owns the rights to. I have a website and several sites that would show greater detail of a classic story I drew and coloured and put out there to the general public. The woman working there refused to look it up online and told me it was due to someone else that downloaded a copyrighted image that was put on a customer’s shirt. Since anyone on the planet can explain to this company that public domain images of greek mythological characters I personally drew means I have every right to that image, she seemed to not understand that at all. I was also looking for a particular shirt size and was told I had to hunt through the store for it myself. She was not busy, she was just not doing anything. I also got talked to like I was an idiot for arguing that I have 110% right to my uniquely drawn mythological character to be made on a t-​shirt I paid for. Lousy customer service, terrible communication from management and the work done was overpriced. I will rarely attend this store again, someone needs to explain to staff to get off their duffs and help customers and understand their store policy does not apply to uniquely displayed public domain characters. Get with the program Rocket and read a legal document on the rights of those that use public domain.

Awful. Completely screwed up the sentence I had typed out to have put on a shirt. She duplicated two of the words so now it makes no sense. Obviously she did not check her work during or after it was done. Offered nothing for the mistake, just shrugged her shoulders and could not have cared less. She ruined a shirt I had purchased elsewhere because their t-​shirts are poor quality. We will never be back.

Picture yourself: you and three of your superiors are on a chili cook-​off team, the theme, western. What would cinch the motif?
Why custom aprons with a photo of your medical director as a snake oil salesmen of course.
But you left it to the last minute, the cook-​off is tomorrow and you need to get these aprons printed now, now, now! This is business, baby.
Enter the Rocket.
Other than being able to print on pretty much any type of clothing and offering a wide variety of designs and apparel in stock, you can bring in items (such as the aprons) for an additional $ 10 fee and get their photo transfer service.
After calling the 17^th Ave location and being told they were too swamped to complete my order for the next day, suggested I head to Kensington Rocket. The girl who helped me was alone in the shop, and is basically Wonder Woman. She was also swamped but managed to print my aprons like a pro, serve pre-​teens buying shirts, prep additional custom orders and be the most friendly person ever all at the same time!
The aprons looked amazing and thanks to this extra touch my team won the chili cook-​off Team Spirit Award and many a compliment was directed at our matching aprons.
Parking is a little challenging at this location as it’s pretty much at the cusp of 10 St and Memorial. Park a block away, take a mini stroll and check out the Rocket!

The rocket is a blast from the past for sure!
It’s a store that specializes in old-​school, custom iron-​on t-​shirts.
You pick it, they stick it.
They’re thousands of decals to choose from, and lots of colours of well made cotton t-​shirts to stick ‘em on. They also have a modest selection of belt buckles, sunglasses, and jewellery to complement your custom creation.

The Rocket completely reminds me of ‘Bang On’ on Queen Street West in Toronto, except they’ve got more ‘stuff’ in store.
Yes, they customize T-​Shirts. Yes you can choose one of their designs or you can bring in your own graphic and they will heat press it onto a T-​Shirt for you. Yes the prices are reasonable: ~ $ 25−35/heat pressed T-​Shirt.
Aside from the Ts, Hot Rocket also carries ear muffs, fashion hats, leather jackets, super hero undies (!!!) and more! But you know what I loved most about The Rocket? The service.
I met John, who was *fantastic* and explained the way of ‘The Rocket World’ to me with a smile on his face.
Great gear, Great guy, Great experience.

I like the Rocket and I hate it. My mixed feelings come from three things: my hatred for clothing with stupid sayings on it, service, and accessories.
I get that the Rocket is a business. I love that you have the chance to customize your own clothes: they’ll put a logo on anything with fabric. Excellent. But crappy old sunglasses and weird accessories don’t have that much to do with the concept.
And even though you can bring in your own clothes, they sell a big selection of plain American Apparel clothes (approximately three stores down from American Apparel. But I get it — they stock the mass-​produced stuff rather than the fashion items. Wish that reflected in the price.). At least it costs the same amount to get something logoed either way.
But yeah: people should be prevented from owning or wearing shirts with stupid sayings. I hate them. I think they are gross and turn otherwise sane and normal people into something words can’t describe. Just no. But the graphics are cool.
If there actually was service, I’d be a lot happier with this place. Usually the hipster salesgirls just scowl and utter one word answers or smirk at your choice of designs. Because I’d love some judgey with t-​shirt, thanks.

This place has thousands and thousands of logos for custom t-​shirts with everything from old beer logos to crazy stuff I don’t understand. Who wants a series of random numbers on their shirt? If you do, then go here.
It costs $ 15 for a large print and $ 5 for a small print. Letters and numbers to design your very own schizo shirt will run you something like $ 1 a piece. My girlfriend took an interest in their «authentic 1980s» sunglasses. Which are just old glasses selling for $ 10 a pop.
But the place is cool if you’re into t-​shirts. They have a crazy selection.