A long time contributor and supporter of Upper Playground, artist Sam Flores is the founder and creative director of his brand 'Twelve Grain'. The "12" represents his roots, namely his original crew in Albuquerque and "Grain" represents the role that nature has played in his work and life. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sam Flores spent his youth skating, drawing and honing his graffiti skills in the Southwest. Flores eventually landed in the Bay Area around the late 90's and began to develop his style and place in the creative community. A self-taught painter, without any formal training, Flores draws aesthetic influence from a variety sources including the Japanese Edo Period, the Surrealists, Mexican pulp comics, American Graffiti movements and the Southwest.

Our Classic Crewneck t-shirts feature a heavier weight cotton and a straighter cut for a more traditional, old-school look. Solid colors are 100% cotton. Athletic Heather uses a 90/10 cotton/poly blend. All other Heather colors use 50/50 cotton/poly blends.

Our designs are printed using all-natural, environmentally friendly, water-based and metal-free inks. Vinegar is used as a curing agent and helps ensure that the design will last a long time without fading. Any odor it leaves behind will fade significantly when left out, and will be gone entirely once the item is washed.

To best preserve the life of the design, we recommend washing our apparel inside out, in cold or lukewarm water, gentle cycle and either tumble drying low or line drying