Interview with Tim of Free Clothing

How long have you been doing what you’re doing?
Free as an idea started in 2005 we out out our first full “line” in 2007

How did you start your brand?
We have always spent way too much time in thrift stores across the country buying the most random shirts we could find and it slowly turned into a desire to create our own. We honestly didn’t have a clue as to what we were doing when we started but we knew we wanted to offer quality that we would wear ourselves as well as a constant attention to detail. So we emailed a few shop contacts that some respected brands had used and got started.

How did you come up with the name Free Clothing?
At the time I was a musician and I worked at a local smoothie shop to cure boredom and for the free smoothie hookup (robeks, if you have one near you, try it you’ll love it!) I brought the idea up to a co worker he wasn’t impressed with it at all and told me not to pursue it. He then asked what I would call it I responded half serious with, free clothing! He said that’s the worst name ever, and I ran with it.

The name is all about living free. However this can be interpreted differently by each customer. For me living free is never clocking in, I’ve always wanted to find my own way and for now, this is it. But for someone else it could be something completely different. I just want each person to get excited on the quality and want to be apart of what we are doing. The name is also a great conversation starter.

What qualities set you apart from other T-Shirt making companies?
I think the main difference is our process. We conceptualize, design, print, market, and handle every other aspect ourselves. Most companies buy a design or create something and then send it off to someone else to print, I would feel like a painter who has an idea, sketches it out, and then has someone else paint it. Being in control of the entire process helps us to keep the attention to detail and maintain the quality we are striving for.

What is the biggest mistake you’ve made so far?
We tried to have another company called giant robot printing do our second line of tees in 2007 and it turned into a huge lawsuit that we won and were awarded nothing for. It put a huge dent in what we were doing. But we’ve since bounced back!

What is your process for creating a new T-Shirt, do you screen print yourselves? Etc.
We print everything ourselves on a kornit 931ds. It is a cmyk direct to garment printer that uses environmentally friendly water based inks.

What inspiration/influences do you draw from when creating new designs?
We pull from all kinds of places I like simple visual design and i really enjoy old thrift style shirts that are 20-30 years old when you buy them, and I try to involve that feel in some of the brand new shirts we sell

Do you bring artists/designers in to collaborate on T-shirts? If so, how do you go about finding them and deciding to include them in your line?
We actually haven’t yet! However I am toying with the idea right now I just need to find the right fit and some free time!

Five songs you can’t stop listening to right now?
Lydia- the one you once loved is leaving
Our last night- elephants
Upon a burning body- scarface
Death cab for cutie- transatlanticism
The ghost inside- chrono

What were you doing before this?
I was playing music in a band and just working random jobs in-between

What do you like to do when you’re not developing and distributing awesome T-Shirts?
Well recently i haven’t had time for anything else! I’ve been in my van or underneath my tent at this years warped tour 2010. But when this tour finally ends I would love to spend some more time back in music and eventually learn how to kite board, that looks like the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. .free is also releasing shoes at the end of this summer/early fall so I’m sure a lot of time will be dedicated to that as well, which is exciting!

Comics or cartoons?
Transformers

When are you most productive? Do you come up with your best ideas while your just hanging out or in a full-fledged business brainstorm session?
Sometimes both but for me driving is when it happens. for example, last night I drove 10 hours between Denver, CO and salt lake city, UT a lot of ideas come when you sit still that long!

Is there any direction you hope to take your line in in the next year or so? Are you planning on doing anything differently?
I just want to get better and I want the progression to be evident in our next line. We have the concept for it and I am really excited so i guess we will see how it turns out!

Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks so much for your time and interest in what were doing!