Meet The Owner as Drifter Merch Celebrates 10 Years in Business

As 2026 is in full gear and we celebrate Drifter Merch’s 10th year in business, I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself. I’m the owner, Lorrie Dixson Griggs. Originally from Winston-Salem, NC, I now live in beautiful Charleston, SC with my daughter Harper and my boyfriend Josh, who many of you recognize helping out in the tent at shows and markets.

When I’m not fulfilling online orders or selling merch at events, I spend my weekdays running custom merchandise and event advertising orders for businesses, bands, festivals, and events all over the country. I also operate Eskimo Advertising, which I’ve proudly owned for the past 24 years. Additionally, I enjoy producing and promoting pre-show parties, partnering to organize Moontime Markets, and serving as a founding board member of Home Team FM.

One of the projects closest to my heart is Drifter Fest, an annual memorial music festival I started to honor my late husband and Drifter Merch co-founder Bert Griggs. What began as a way to celebrate his life, love of music, and community has grown into a meaningful gathering that brings people together through the same spirit that built this business.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me with friends and family, on the water, or somewhere with live music playing. I’m excited to see what this year brings and incredibly grateful for all the love and support over the past 10 years. Please give Drifter Merch a follow if you haven’t already. Let’s keep drifting together and see where the music takes us next.

Custom Gear That Crushes: What to Look for in a Custom Merch Partner

Let's be real, your merch says a lot about you. Whether you're a touring band, a business owners, or a brand trying to make waves, the gear you put out there represents your identity. It's not just fabric and ink. It's a walking billboard, a conversation starter, and for your fans, a wearable piece of the culture they love.

So when it comes to creating custom merchandise, who you partner with matters. A lot. The right merch partner can elevate your vision, deliver quality that makes people proud to rock your designs, and actually make the whole process enjoyable. The wrong one? Well, that's a recipe for faded prints, missed deadlines, and a whole lot of stress.

If you're searching for a custom merch partner who truly gets it, below is what you should look for in a collaborator.

Quality and Consistency: The Foundation of Everything

This one seems obvious, but you'd be surprised how often it gets overlooked. Quality isn't just about using decent materials. It's about maintaining that standard across every single order, whether you're printing 50 tees for a local store or 5,000 pieces for a summer tour.

Your fans are investing in your merch because they believe in what you're creating. Nothing kills that vibe faster than a shirt that cracks after one wash or colors that fade before the tour even ends. A great custom merch partner uses quality blanks from trusted brands and employs printing techniques that are built to last.

Consistency is the other half of this equation. If someone buys your company’s logo shirt at one event and their friend grabs the same design three months later, those shirts should look and feel identical. Your partner should have quality control processes in place to ensure every piece that goes out the door meets the same standard. No surprises, no excuses.

Design Expertise: More Than Just Technical Know-How

Here's where things get interesting. Sure, any print shop can slap ink on a shirt. But do they have years of experience and can they actually understand your needs? Can they take your rough concept and help refine it into something that pops? Can they advise you on color choices, placement, and sizing that'll work best for your specific audience?

A great custom merch partner brings real design expertise to the table. They know the difference between a good idea and a great execution. They understand Pantone color matching, proper logo placement, and how different printing methods will affect the final look. They'll review proofs with you before production and catch potential issues before they become expensive mistakes.

But here's the another thing that separates good partners from great ones: cultural understanding.

If you're in the music world, especially the jam band, festival, and lot culture scene, you need a partner who speaks your language. Someone who knows the aesthetic, respects the traditions, and understands why a certain font or color palette just feels right for your audience. This isn't something you can fake. Either your merch partner lives and breathes this culture, or they don't.

When your partner genuinely understands the art of music-inspired merch, the collaboration becomes effortless. You're not explaining every little detail or fighting for a vision they don't see. You're building something together. That's the kind of synergy that shows up in the final product and your fans will notice.

Reliability and Timely Delivery: Because Deadlines Are Real

We get it. Things happen. But when you've got a tour kicking off, a new restaurant opening, or a release date you've been promoting for months, you need a swag partner who delivers. On time. Every time.

Reliability means more than just hitting deadlines. It means clear communication throughout the process. It means realistic timelines upfront, not promises that fall apart when production actually starts. It means having systems in place to handle rush orders when necessary, without sacrificing quality.

The best partners will advise you to start conversations 4–6 weeks before you need your gear. This gives you the widest product selection, avoids rush fees, and allows time for design revisions and proofing. But they'll also have your back when plans change and you need something faster.

Ask potential partners about their production timelines, their communication process, and what happens if something goes wrong. The answers will tell you a lot about whether they're the kind of partner you can count on when it matters most.

More Than a Printer: The Collaborator Mindset

This might be the most important point of all. A great custom merch partner isn't just a vendor but they're a collaborator in building your brand's image.

Think about it. Your merch is often the first physical touchpoint someone has with your band or brand. It's what they wear around town, what they post on social media, what they keep in their closet for years. That's a powerful opportunity, and you want a partner who treats it that way.

A true collaborator brings ideas to the table. They might suggest a different garment style that fits your aesthetic better. They might recommend a printing technique you hadn't considered such as like patches versus embroidery on hats or the pros and cons of direct-to-film versus screen printing. They'll push back (respectfully) when they think something won't work and offer alternatives that serve your vision better.

This collaborative approach extends beyond individual orders too. The right partner grows with you. They understand your evolving needs as your audience expands, help you explore new product categories, and become a trusted resource you can rely on year after year.

Finding Your People

At the end of the day, custom merch is personal. It's an extension of your art, your message, and your community. You deserve a partner who treats it with the same care and passion you bring to everything else you create.

The best partnerships feel less like transactions and more like teamwork. When you find a merch partner who shares your values, understands your culture, and consistently delivers quality work, hold onto them. That relationship becomes a competitive advantage as one that shows up in every piece of gear your fans and customers proudly wear.

Ready to start a conversation about your next custom project? We'd love to hear what you're working on. Head over to Drifter Merch and let's create something that crushes.

Spotlight on Bella Canvas

At Drifter Merch, we don’t just recommend Bella Canvas, we use it often in our own offerings because it consistently delivers what our customers expect. Whether we’re creating merch for our brand or bands, events, or businesses, we need blanks that feel great, hold up over time, and print beautifully. Bella Canvas checks all those boxes, which is why it’s one of our most trusted go-to brands.

1. Quality: Known for the high quality of its products, Bella Canvas’ shirts and other apparel are made from high-grade materials that are soft, comfortable, and durable. The construction of its products is also excellent, with attention to detail.

2. Sustainability: Bella Canvas is committed to sustainable business practices as it has a USA-strong approach to production. This means that it dyes its clothes in California, which has some of the strictest environmental regulations in the world. It also use solar power to run their sewing and cutting facilities, recycle almost everything the company can't use, and strive to minimize it’s ecological footprint.

3. Variety: The brand offers a wide variety of styles, colors, and sizes. This makes it easy for customers to find exactly what they're looking for, whether they're buying for themselves or for a brand.

4. Inclusivity: Bella Canvas offers a broad range of sizes and is committed to representing diverse body types in their marketing. This inclusivity is a strong selling point for many customers.

5. Price-point: While Bella Canvas is not the cheapest option on the market, their pricing is very competitive given the high quality of tits products. Customers find good value for money, which is a major factor in its popularity.

6. Fashion-forward: Known for staying on top of trends in the fashion industry, Bella Canvas frequently release new styles and colors in line with current trends, making the brand a popular choice for fashion-conscious consumers and businesses.

7. Printing-friendly: Bella Canvas's products are known to be great for printing. It is a preferred choice for many print businesses due to smooth, high-quality fabric that holds up well under various printing methods.

Since we work hands-on with custom apparel every day, we’ve seen firsthand how much Bella Canvas elevates the final product. From soft, fashion-forward fits to reliable print results and sustainable production, it aligns perfectly with Drifter Merch’s commitment to quality and creativity. Using Bella Canvas allows us to confidently deliver merchandise that people actually want to wear again and again.

Shakedown Jam: A Park Circle Block Party

Join us for the Shakedown Jam: A Park Circle Block Party on Sunday, October 19th from 12–5pm. Enjoy FREE shows from The Reckoning playing Grateful Dead tunes on the courtyard stage plus Robert Corbett's Just Groove. We’re closing the alley and street in front of Commonhouse Aleworks for a full-on Shakedown Street experience with heady vendors, fairy hair, face painting and other kids' activities. Grab your friends, enjoy the music, shop the scene, enjoy craft brews and soak up the good vibes.

MUSIC:
The Reckoning (1-4pm)
Just Groove (12-1 & 4-5pm)

FOOD:
Swig and Swine

DRINKS:
Commonhouse Aleworks brews, wine, cider, frosé, canned cocktails, and non-alcoholic options: soda, kombucha, and cold brew.

VENDORS:
Drifter Merch, Grateful Fred, Reba's Dancing Dyes, Shamelessly Alive, Grateful Seams Shambles Boutique, Arnie’s Tie Dyes, Homeys Head Vibes The Sparkle Bar, Kids Garden, Lizard Glass Design, Untamed Altar, The Mixing Bowl, Surfer Betty, The Paint Pixie, This is me Vinyl, LoftinLoaded, Infinity Energy Spa & Crystal Shop, and Bright Star Designs

Patches vs. Embroidery on Hats: Which Is Best for Your Needs?

When it comes to customizing hats for your business, event, or brand, two of the most popular options are embroidered logos and patches. Both offer a polished look, but they have distinct differences that can affect style, cost, and durability.

Embroidery

What It Is: Your logo or design is stitched directly into the hat using colored thread.

Pros:

• Durable and long-lasting as embroidery holds up to wear and washing.

• Clean, traditional look that works well for simple, bold designs.

• No additional attachment process as everything is part of the hat.

Cons:

• Complex, tiny details don’t always translate well with thread.

• Large designs can feel bulky or distort the hat’s shape.

• Color gradients and photographic designs are difficult to reproduce.

Patches

What It Is: A design is printed, woven, or embroidered on a separate piece of fabric and then sewn or heat-pressed onto the hat.

Pros:

• Allows for highly detailed, colorful designs.

• Adds a trendy, modern look popular with outdoor and streetwear styles.

• Flexible as various patch types (leather, woven, PVC) are available for different textures and looks.

Cons:

• Slightly less integrated look since it sits on top of the hat.

• Quality depends on how the patch is applied. Stitched patches are more durable than heat-pressed.

• Costs can be higher and production can be longer as patches are made separately.

Which Should You Choose?

If your design is simple and classic (like a single-color logo), embroidery might be your best bet. If you have more intricate detail, a unique material (like leather), or a fashion-forward look, patches are the way to go.

For brands, both methods can create a professional finish as it just depends on your style and how you want your customers to experience your hat.

Charlotte Flodown: A Goose Pre-Party and Vendor Market

Join us for the Charlotte Flodown: A Goose Pre-Party and Vendor Market on Saturday, September 27th, from 12PM to 6PM at Triple C Brewing Co. This FREE event coincides with Triple C's 13th Anniversary Celebration, promising an afternoon filled with talented vendors, live music, delicious food trucks, and a selection of heady brews including a specialty Flodown Festbier just for the event!​ There will also be shuttles to the show at PNC.

MUSIC:
12PM: Live DJ
1:30PM: Mojo Ruckus
3PM: Eternally Grateful

VENDORS:
Drifter Merch
Brass Earth
Zosh Gift Shop
Reba's Dancing Dyes
Golden Goddess Expressions
HoneyCreekPottery
Solutions
Untamed Altar
Blue Ridge Gems
Mountain Family Glass
New World Glass
Bean Dyes
Rippled Remnants
Jennifer Barrineau Art
Recuerdo Lane
Type 2 Designs
Shaun’s Show Shirts
Jamily Chick Podcast

SHUTTLE INFO:
Grab a $30 seat to PNC leaving the brewery around 5:30 and arrive back at Triple C around 30 minutes after the last song. Book here.

Don't miss out. Mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable day before Goose takes the stage!

If you are interested in vending, please fill out the form here.

Foam vs. Neoprene Koozies: What's the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

Whether you’re stocking your merch table, planning a festival, or creating branded swag for your business, koozies are always a crowd favorite. But not all koozies are created equal. If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between regular foam and neoprene koozies, we’re here to break it down.

Foam Koozies: Budget-Friendly and Classic

Scuba foam koozies are made from lightweight polyurethane foam. They’re the traditional choice you’ve probably seen at tailgates, weddings, and giveaways.

• Affordable: Great for bulk orders or events with tighter budgets

• Good insulation: Keeps drinks cool for casual use

• Customizable: Easy to print your logo or event design

• Less durable: May wear out faster with frequent use

**Best for: One-time events, large giveaways, or casual merch options

Neoprene Koozies: Sleek, Durable, and Premium

Neoprene is the same flexible material used in wetsuits — which means it’s made to last. These koozies fit tighter, feel smoother, and offer better performance.

• Durable and flexible: Holds up through repeated use

• Better insulation: Keeps drinks colder, longer

• Tighter fit: Looks and feels more professional

• Higher-end: Slightly more expensive, but worth it for resale or brand impact

**Best for: Merch tables, boutique products, band branding, or elevated swag

Which One Should You Choose?

If you're looking for something cost-effective to hand out in large numbers, foam koozies are a solid choice. However, if you want something that fans will keep using long after the event or if you’re selling them, neoprene is the clear winner.

At Drifter Merch, we’ve worked with both, and are happy to create either for your brand or event to stand out.

Bouncing Around the Brews

Phish is coming to the Lowcountry so we planned a party! Join us in Park Circle for Bouncing Around the Brews, Charleston Phish Pre-Party and Vendor Market. We're setting the vibe at Commonhouse Aleworks with an afternoon full of live music, craft brews, awesome BBQ and a varied collection of talented vendors. This is a free event!

The creatives showcasing wares include Drifter Merch, HoneyCreekPottery, Homeys Head Vibes, Grateful Fred, Zosh Gift Shop, Om Grown Art, Golden Goddess Expressions, Reba's Dancing Dyes, Brass Earth, Type 2 Designs, The Stono Soul, Keeva's Krafts, Charleston Dye Lab, Mind Music Tarot, Sacred Sloth Jewelry, Lost Girls Creations, Wilson Wood, Ashley M Graphics and Little Daddy’s Art.

Catch live music from Guilt Ridden Troubadour, bringing their signature sound to get you in the groove before the Phish's last show of the run.

Whether you're pregaming with friends or just looking for a chill Sunday hang, expect ice-cold beer, tasty BBQ, heady shopping finds, and plenty of good energy.

Moontime Markets: Widespread Panic Pre-Parties Planned

Get ready for an unforgettable experience as the Moontime Markets make their way to four iconic cities: Nashville, Charleston, Asheville and Richmond! These vibrant markets are more than just a place to shop but also a full-on celebration of music, art, and community, bringing together incredible vendors, live music, delicious food, and one-of-a-kind finds. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Moontime Markets for the first time, you won’t want to miss these high-energy events leading up to Panic’s shows!

📍 Nashville: April 26th from 12-5pm at New Heights Brewing

📍 Charleston: May 17th from 12-6pm at New Realm Brewing

📍 Asheville: July 26th from 12-5pm at The Grey Eagle at Hatch Amphitheater

📍Richmond, September 14th from 12-4:30 at Main Line Brewing

Each Moontime Market is a pre-show gathering designed to get you in the festival spirit before Widespread Panic takes the stage. Expect a curated selection of 25-40 artisan vendors offering everything from handcrafted jewelry and lot tees to unique art pieces and specialty goods. It’s the perfect chance to shop small, discover local talent, and pick up exclusive items you won’t find anywhere else.

Of course, no Moontime Market is complete without live music! Each event will feature talented bands, setting the tone with a mix of jam, rock, and funk vibes. Pair that with an exclusive beer releases at select locations, food trucks serving up tasty eats, and even a cannabis bus in Nashville for those looking to explore alternative wellness options.

More than just a place to shop, Moontime Markets are a hub for music lovers, creatives, and the Widespread Panic community. Whether you’re grabbing cool finds, supporting small businesses or just soaking in the good vibes before the show, this is the ultimate way to elevate your concert experience.

Learn more and listen to our interview on the True Conversation podcast.

5th Annual Drifter Fest

The 5th Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam returns to Charleston on September 5th–7th with a dynamic lineup of live music, celebrating the life and legacy of the late Drifter Merch founder Bert Griggs.

The main event takes place on Saturday at the Refinery Amphitheater with a lineup that includes progressive improvisational rock/jam band Big Something headlining along with soulful powerhouse Kanika Moore & The Brown Eyed Bois plus Just Groove. Doors open at 5 p.m. with music starting at 6 p.m.

Tickets are on sale at DrifterFest.com/tickets. General Admission is $30 in advance, $40 on the day of show. With limited availability, $60 VIP tickets are 21 and older only and include GA access, second-level rooftop viewing area overlooking the event with private VIP bar, inside bathrooms, seating, VIP parking, and commemorative laminate.

The festival kicks off on Friday with a free pre-jam event featuring Machine Funk “A Tribute to Widespread Panic” at Home Team BBQ downtown starting at 6 p.m. After-parties will follow on Friday and Saturday at The Commodore from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Then on Sunday, the weekend wraps up with a free show featuring Junco Partner at Vickery’s on Shem Creek from 4-7 p.m.

Drifter Fest is an annual event in Charleston, SC that celebrates the life of the late Bert Griggs, co-founder of Drifter Merch. It has grown into a must-attend community celebration of live music, art, local eats, and specialty drinks. This year, a portion of proceeds will benefit Rock ‘n Roll Rescue, a non profit that allows children access to instruments and music education programs. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and organizations interested in supporting Drifter Fest and its mission.

For more information, tickets, sponsorship and other FAQ, go to www.drifterfest.com