Bear Grips

Bear Grips Pro Shops

2026 COMPARISON

Bear Grips vs Scalable Press

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 Scalable Press?

Scalable Press is a developer-focused pod fulfillment via api. Developers and tech companies building custom print solutions via API.

Their pricing: Pay per order, volume discounts available

Their model: Developer-focused POD fulfillment via API

Integrations: API, Shopify, WooCommerce, custom integrations

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
Scalable Press
  • Paid shipping, 3-7 business days
  • Pay per order, volume discounts available
  • No done-for-you design service
  • 200+ products — you figure out what sells
  • No affiliate program or limited
  • Paid shipping, 3-7 business days
  • No minimums

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureBear GripsScalable Press
Monthly FeeFree, $59/mo VIP, $109/mo DFY VIPPay per order, volume discounts available
Product CatalogData-driven curated catalog — best sellers across all vendors, no guesswork200+ products — you figure out what sells
ShippingFree shipping on every orderPaid shipping, 3-7 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, 3-7 business days
Target AudienceAny business type — gyms, churches, schools, restaurants, creators + moreDevelopers and tech companies building custom print solutions via API

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

Scalable Press

  • Powerful API for developers
  • Good for high-volume automated ordering
  • Volume discounts
  • Multiple print methods
  • White label fulfillment

Where Scalable Press Falls Short — and How Bear Grips Solves It

Scalable Press
Requires technical knowledge
Bear Grips
Ready-to-use branded shop — no coding needed
Scalable Press
No consumer-facing storefront
Bear Grips
Done-for-you design service
Scalable Press
No design tools
Bear Grips
Free shipping included
Scalable Press
Not beginner-friendly
Bear Grips
Built-in affiliate program
Scalable Press
Mixed quality reviews
Bear Grips
Premium products from top brands

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

Scalable Press is a capable platform for developers and tech companies building custom print solutions via api. 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 Scalable Press?

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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