Bear Grips

Bear Grips Pro Shops

2026 COMPARISON

Bear Grips vs Redbubble

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

What is Bear Grips Pro Shops?

Bear Grips Pro Shops gives any business a branded online apparel shop with zero inventory risk. Instead of a massive catalog where you waste time and money testing which products sell, we give you a data-driven, curated selection of best-sellers. These are the items your customers will actually buy — proven across hundreds of vendors. We handle printing, packing, and free shipping on every order. Start free, or go VIP for lower base prices and done-for-you design service. Every signup also gets an affiliate link to earn 10% recurring commissions.

What is Redbubble?

Redbubble is a open marketplace where artists upload designs and earn royalties. Independent artists who want passive income from designs without handling any business operations.

Their pricing: Free to list, artists set markup percentage

Their model: Open marketplace where artists upload designs and earn royalties

Integrations: Standalone marketplace only

How They Compare

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

Detailed Comparison

FeatureBear GripsRedbubble
Monthly FeeFree, $59/mo VIP, $109/mo DFY VIPFree to list, artists set markup percentage
Product CatalogData-driven curated catalog — best sellers across all vendors, no guesswork70+ products — you figure out what sells
ShippingFree shipping on every orderPaid shipping, 5-12 business days
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, 5-12 business days
Target AudienceAny business type — gyms, churches, schools, restaurants, creators + moreIndependent artists who want passive income from designs without handling any business operations

What Each Platform Does Well

Bear Grips Pro Shops

  • 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
  • Every signup gets an affiliate link automatically — two income streams from day one
  • VIP pricing saves $4–$11 per item compared to free tier

Redbubble

  • Built-in marketplace traffic (millions of visitors)
  • 70+ product types
  • Free to list
  • Passive income potential
  • No customer service needed

Where Redbubble Falls Short — and How Bear Grips Solves It

Redbubble
Low margins (Redbubble takes large cut)
Bear Grips
Your own branded shop with your domain
Redbubble
No branding control
Bear Grips
Higher profit margins — you set the price
Redbubble
Competing against millions of sellers
Bear Grips
Done-for-you design service
Redbubble
No own domain or shop
Bear Grips
Free shipping included
Redbubble
Can't build customer relationships
Bear Grips
Built-in affiliate program for extra 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

Redbubble offers marketplace traffic but at the cost of your brand. You can't build real customer relationships or control pricing.

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 Redbubble 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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