Design firm's local work leads to national contracts

Sanctuary Printshop still offers the custom screen-printed T-shirts that built its reputation.

These days, however, after almost eight years in business, Sanctuary is more of a design firm, owner Jed Taylor said.

It has created images and merchandise for Alamo Drafthouse, Hat Creek Burger Co., marketing company Bazaarvoice and Turner Classic Movies.

National retailer Dick's Sporting Goods and actor Matthew McConaughey have also sought out Sanctuary's work, according to Taylor.

Taylor said the firm's local work with Wahoo's Fish Taco led to Sanctuary becoming the designer for all of the restaurant's brand work nationwide.

"We are still having a blast," he said. "We are getting to do the stuff that artists in college do. We work with a lot of Austin companies, but we also have national and international companies [as clients], too."

Taylor became sole owner of Sanctuary last year when former co-owner Jon Patillo left the company.

Sanctuary's recent work includes creating a mural at the eastbound entrance to the Sixth Street Historic District.

The firm offers screen-printed posters, merchandise development and work on clients' brand identities among its services.

Sanctuary's custom 1979 Chevrolet El Camino, with attached screen-printing equipment, has already been booked for the 2013 South by Southwest Music and Media Conference, he said.

"The new thing we have is the print peddler—a bicycle that has a printer on the back. We're going to use it to travel around Austin City Limits," he said.