Bear Grips

Bear Grips Pro Shops

2026 COMPARISON

Bear Grips vs Bonfire

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

What is Bear Grips Pro Shops?

Bear Grips Pro Shops turns any business into a branded apparel seller in minutes. Gyms, schools, churches, restaurants, creators — our platform works for everyone. The difference? We don't overwhelm you with a huge catalog. We use data from real vendor sales to curate only the best-selling products. You sell what works. Free shipping on every order. USA printing with ~1 week delivery. VIP plans include lower base prices and done-for-you design. Plus, every account gets an affiliate link to earn commissions on referrals.

What is Bonfire?

Bonfire is a custom apparel platform focused on fundraising campaigns. Schools, churches, and nonprofits running short-term fundraising campaigns.

Their pricing: Free to use, set your own prices, Bonfire takes a cut from base cost

Their model: Custom apparel platform focused on fundraising campaigns

Integrations: Standalone campaigns, Facebook fundraising

Feature Checklist

Feature
Bear Grips
Bonfire
Free shipping included
No monthly fee option
Done-for-you design
Built-in affiliate program
No order minimums
USA-based printing
Curated best-seller catalog
Shop included (no Shopify needed)

How They Compare

Shipping Cost
Bear Grips
Free always
Bonfire
Paid
Design Support
Bear Grips
Done-for-you VIP
Bonfire
DIY
Ease of Setup
Bear Grips
Shop included, ready in minutes
Bonfire
Standalone
Passive Income
Bear Grips
10% recurring + $1/unit
Bonfire
None
Product Curation
Bear Grips
Best-sellers only, data-driven
Bonfire
40+ items, you test

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

Bonfire

  • Purpose-built for fundraising
  • Campaign-style selling (limited time)
  • Good for nonprofits, schools, churches
  • Social sharing tools
  • No upfront costs

Where Bonfire Falls Short — and How Bear Grips Solves It

Bonfire
Slow shipping (7-14 days)
Bear Grips
Permanent branded shop (not temporary campaigns)
Bonfire
Limited product catalog
Bear Grips
Faster shipping (~1 week) with free shipping
Bonfire
Campaign model means temporary shops
Bear Grips
Curated best-seller catalog vs Bonfire's ~40
Bonfire
Higher base prices
Bear Grips
Done-for-you design service
Bonfire
Not suited for ongoing retail
Bear Grips
Built-in affiliate program

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

Bonfire is excellent for fundraising campaigns but limited for ongoing merch businesses. Campaign-style shops are temporary — Bear Grips gives you a permanent shop.

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.

Your custom apparel shop, without the Bonfire headaches

No inventory. No minimums. No upfront costs. Free shipping on every order. 100+ premium products with new styles added regularly. Start free.

Start Your Free Shop →

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