Bear Grips

Bear Grips Pro Shops

2026 COMPARISON

Bear Grips vs Art of Where

Which custom apparel platform is better for your business? Here's an honest breakdown.

What is Bear Grips Pro Shops?

Bear Grips Pro Shops is not just another print-on-demand platform. We're a full-service branded apparel solution built by a fitness brand with 10+ years in the space. Our catalog is intentionally curated — every product is a best-seller backed by analytics from real vendor sales. That means higher profit margins for you, happier customers, and no wasted time ordering samples to figure out which t-shirt actually works. Free shipping on every order. No minimums. Done-for-you design on VIP. And a built-in affiliate program that pays you for referrals.

What is Art of Where?

Art of Where is a canadian pod specializing in all-over sublimation printing. Artists and designers who want high-quality all-over sublimation prints.

Their pricing: No monthly fee, pay per order

Their model: Canadian POD specializing in all-over sublimation printing

Integrations: Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, standalone shop

At a Glance

Bear Grips Pro Shops
  • Free shipping on every order
  • $0 to start — free plan available
  • Done-for-you design service on VIP
  • Curated best-seller catalog — data-driven, no guesswork
  • Built-in affiliate program (10% recurring + $1/unit)
  • USA printing, ~1 week delivery
  • No minimums — sell 1 at a time
Art of Where
  • Paid shipping from Canada, 5-10 business days to US
  • No monthly fee, pay per order
  • No done-for-you design service
  • 60+ products — you figure out what sells
  • No affiliate program or limited
  • Paid shipping from Canada, 5-10 business days to US
  • No minimums

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureBear GripsArt of Where
Monthly FeeFree, $59/mo VIP, $109/mo DFY VIPNo monthly fee, pay per order
Product CatalogData-driven curated catalog — best sellers across all vendors, no guesswork60+ products — you figure out what sells
ShippingFree shipping on every orderPaid shipping from Canada, 5-10 business days to US
BrandsNike, Champion, Bella+Canvas, Sport-Tek, Next Level + moreVaries
Design ServiceDone-for-you on VIP ($109/mo)No done-for-you design service
Affiliate Program10% recurring + $1/unit sold by referralsNo affiliate program or limited
MinimumsNo minimums — sell 1 at a timeNo minimums
Shipping Speed~1 week, USA printingPaid shipping from Canada, 5-10 business days to US
Target AudienceAny business type — gyms, churches, schools, restaurants, creators + moreArtists and designers who want high-quality all-over sublimation prints

What Each Platform Does Well

Bear Grips Pro Shops

  • USA printing with ~1 week delivery to your customers
  • Premium brands: Nike, Champion, Bella+Canvas, Sport-Tek, Next Level
  • Your own branded shop included — no Shopify or third-party platform needed
  • $0 to start with the free plan — upgrade when you're ready
  • Analytics-driven product selection — skip the guesswork, sell what works

Art of Where

  • All-over sublimation printing
  • Cut & sew options
  • Canadian-made quality
  • No monthly fees
  • Good for fashion/art brands

Where Art of Where Falls Short — and How Bear Grips Solves It

Art of Where
Ships from Canada (slower to US)
Bear Grips
USA-based printing and free shipping
Art of Where
Small catalog
Bear Grips
Curated best-seller catalog — data-driven picks so you skip the guesswork
Art of Where
Higher per-item costs
Bear Grips
Done-for-you design service
Art of Where
Limited to sublimation products
Bear Grips
Built-in affiliate program
Art of Where
Niche audience
Bear Grips
Faster US delivery

Before comparing platforms, many businesses start with a local print shop. Here's the problem:

  • High minimums — most shops require 50-100+ pieces per design
  • Thousands upfront — you're paying for inventory before selling a single item
  • Sitting on inventory — unsold boxes in your back room or garage
  • Limited selection — stuck with one color, one product, whatever they have in stock
  • Never updated — your local shop isn't tracking apparel trends, seasons, or new styles
  • You handle shipping — packing and mailing is on you

Bear Grips Pro Shops eliminates all of this. Zero inventory, zero minimums, zero upfront costs. We print and ship each order directly to your customer with free shipping. And we're constantly adding new products to keep your shop current with the latest styles and trends.

The Verdict

Art of Where is a capable platform for artists and designers who want high-quality all-over sublimation prints. But for a full branded apparel shop with free shipping and done-for-you support, Bear Grips is the stronger choice.

If you want a branded athletic custom apparel shop with a curated best-seller catalog, free shipping, and done-for-you design support — Bear Grips Pro Shops is the better choice.

Looking for a better alternative to Art of Where?

Bear Grips Pro Shops: curated best-seller catalog, free shipping on every order, built-in mockup editor, and a done-for-you design option. Start free — no contracts.

Start Your Free Shop →

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