Bear Grips

Bear Grips Pro Shops

2026 COMPARISON

Bear Grips vs CustomInk

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 CustomInk?

CustomInk is a custom apparel for groups, teams, and events with bulk ordering. Organizations ordering 25+ matching shirts for an event or team.

Their pricing: Bulk pricing tiers — cheaper per unit at higher quantities. Minimums on most products.

Their model: Custom apparel for groups, teams, and events with bulk ordering

Integrations: Standalone platform, fundraising pages

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
CustomInk
  • Paid shipping, rush options available
  • Bulk pricing tiers — cheaper per unit at higher quantities. Minimums on most products.
  • Free design help included
  • 300+ products — you figure out what sells
  • No affiliate program or limited
  • Paid shipping, rush options available
  • Minimums required on most products

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureBear GripsCustomInk
Monthly FeeFree, $59/mo VIP, $109/mo DFY VIPBulk pricing tiers — cheaper per unit at higher quantities. Minimums on most products.
Product CatalogData-driven curated catalog — best sellers across all vendors, no guesswork300+ products — you figure out what sells
ShippingFree shipping on every orderPaid shipping, rush options available
BrandsNike, Champion, Bella+Canvas, Sport-Tek, Next Level + moreWide selection for bulk orders
Design ServiceDone-for-you on VIP ($109/mo)Free design help included
Affiliate Program10% recurring + $1/unit sold by referralsNo affiliate program or limited
MinimumsNo minimums — sell 1 at a timeMinimums required on most products
Shipping Speed~1 week, USA printingPaid shipping, rush options available
Target AudienceAny business type — gyms, churches, schools, restaurants, creators + moreOrganizations ordering 25+ matching shirts for an event or team

What Each Platform Does Well

Bear Grips Pro Shops

  • Curated best-seller catalog backed by real vendor sales data
  • Done-for-you design service on VIP — we handle the creative
  • Built-in affiliate program: 10% recurring + $1 per unit sold by referrals
  • No minimums — sell one item at a time, zero inventory risk
  • USA printing with ~1 week delivery to your customers

CustomInk

  • Great for large group orders
  • Professional design help included
  • Rush production available
  • Wide product range
  • Established brand with 20+ years

Where CustomInk Falls Short — and How Bear Grips Solves It

CustomInk
Order minimums on most products
Bear Grips
No minimums — sell one at a time
CustomInk
Higher prices for small quantities
Bear Grips
Ongoing branded online shop, not just one-time orders
CustomInk
No ongoing branded shop
Bear Grips
Free shipping on every order
CustomInk
Not print-on-demand (bulk model)
Bear Grips
Print-on-demand = zero inventory risk
CustomInk
Shipping costs extra
Bear Grips
Built-in affiliate program for recurring income

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

CustomInk is great for large group orders and events. But they're a bulk model — you need minimums, and there's no ongoing branded 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.

Why pay more for less? Switch to Bear Grips.

Unlike CustomInk, Bear Grips includes free shipping, a free branded storefront, and a built-in affiliate program. Start selling custom apparel with zero risk.

Start Your Free Shop →

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