Bear Grips

Bear Grips Pro Shops

2026 COMPARISON

Bear Grips vs CustomCat

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

What is Bear Grips Pro Shops?

Bear Grips Pro Shops helps businesses launch branded custom apparel without the usual headaches. No inventory. No minimums. No shipping fees. We curate our product catalog based on actual sales analytics — every item is a proven best-seller across our vendor network. That saves you time, money, and the guesswork of figuring out which products your community will love. Our Done-for-You VIP plan even handles design. And every account automatically gets an affiliate link — refer other businesses and earn 10% recurring + $1 per unit they sell.

What is CustomCat?

CustomCat is a us-based pod with fast production and competitive pricing. High-volume Shopify sellers who want fast US production and competitive base prices.

Their pricing: Free plan, Pro $30/mo (reduced base prices)

Their model: US-based POD with fast production and competitive pricing

Integrations: Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, BigCommerce, API

How They Compare

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

Detailed Comparison

FeatureBear GripsCustomCat
Monthly FeeFree, $59/mo VIP, $109/mo DFY VIPFree plan, Pro $30/mo (reduced base prices)
Product CatalogData-driven curated catalog — best sellers across all vendors, no guesswork300+ products — you figure out what sells
ShippingFree shipping on every orderPaid shipping, 2-5 business days production
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, 2-5 business days production
Target AudienceAny business type — gyms, churches, schools, restaurants, creators + moreHigh-volume Shopify sellers who want fast US production and competitive base prices

What Each Platform Does Well

Bear Grips Pro Shops

  • VIP pricing saves $4–$11 per item compared to free tier
  • Built by a fitness brand with 10+ years in the apparel space
  • Works for any business type — gyms, churches, schools, restaurants, creators, and more
  • Personal support from a team that understands branded merch
  • Fast, intuitive mockup editor — design and preview products in seconds

CustomCat

  • Fast 2-5 day production
  • Large catalog (300+ items)
  • Competitive pricing on Pro plan
  • US-based printing
  • Good API

Where CustomCat Falls Short — and How Bear Grips Solves It

CustomCat
Pro plan required for best prices ($30/mo)
Bear Grips
Free shipping included
CustomCat
Shipping costs extra
Bear Grips
Done-for-you design service on VIP
CustomCat
Limited design tools
Bear Grips
Built-in affiliate program
CustomCat
No done-for-you service
Bear Grips
Curated premium products (not just everything)
CustomCat
Not niche-specific
Bear Grips
Personal support

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

CustomCat is a capable platform for high-volume shopify sellers who want fast us production and competitive base prices. 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.

Ready to launch your branded apparel shop?

Skip the limitations of CustomCat. Get free shipping, a curated catalog backed by real sales data, and done-for-you design support. Start free today.

Start Your Free Shop →

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