Custom High School Athletics Apparel Checklist — Launch Guide
Interactive checklist — click items to mark complete. Progress saves in your browser.
Ready to launch branded apparel for your high school athletics business? This checklist covers everything from choosing products to setting up your shop to getting your first sale.
Research & Planning
Define your high school athletics brand identity — logo, colors, tagline, and vibe
Identify your target audience: Athletic directors, booster clubs, multi-sport parents, coaching staffs
Research what competing high school athletics brands are selling for apparel
Set your pricing strategy (base cost + profit margin)
Gather design assets — logo files in PNG/SVG, brand fonts, color codes
Product Selection
Pick 5-10 products to start — no minimums means you can test freely (unlike print shops that force 50+ per design)
Consider what your athletic directors actually wear daily
Check size ranges (XS-4XL) for inclusivity across your high school athletics community
Review material options — cotton, performance, blend — all premium brands, not cheap blanks
Use the mockup editor to preview your designs on real products — no samples needed
Shop Setup
Sign up for a free Bear Grips Pro Shop — no upfront costs, no contracts, no risk
Upload your high school athletics logo and customize your storefront — customers see YOUR brand
Add your first 3-5 products with designs using the built-in mockup editor
Write product descriptions that speak directly to athletic directors
Set retail prices (recommended: base + $10-15 profit per item)
Preview your shop on mobile and desktop — most high school athletics buyers shop on phones
Launch & Promote
Share your shop link on social media channels your high school athletics audience uses
Email your existing customers, members, or community list
Pin your shop link in your bio, profile, or website navigation
Run a launch promotion — 10% off first week to drive early sales
Ask for photos from your first customers to use as social proof
Grow & Scale
Add new designs monthly — no minimums means you can test anything for your high school athletics audience
Track what sells and double down on winners — no wasted inventory when something doesn't move
Join the affiliate program — earn 10% recurring + $1/unit on every vendor you refer
Consider upgrading to Self-Service VIP ($59/mo) for lower base prices — save $4-11 per item. Or go hands-free with Done-For-You VIP ($109/mo) — we build your entire shop, set optimal pricing, and curate seasonal collections monthly
Launch seasonal drops and limited editions — Bear Grips adds new catalog items regularly to keep your high school athletics shop current
Traditional Print Shop vs. Bear Grips Pro Shops
Why high school athletics businesses are switching from local print shops to print-on-demand.
Local Print Shop
- 50-100 piece minimums per design
- $750-$2,000+ upfront per order
- Stuck with unsold inventory
- Limited to 1-2 products and colors
- You handle packaging and shipping
Bear Grips Pro Shops
- No minimums — sell 1 or 1,000
- $0 upfront — we print when customers order
- Zero inventory risk
- 100+ premium products, unlimited colors
- Free shipping, we handle everything
Ready to sell custom high school athletics apparel?
Your athletic directors are already wearing your brand in their heads. Give them something real. Zero risk, zero upfront cost.
Open Your Free Shop →Related Resources
High School Athletics Apparel Ideas
How to Start High School Athletics Merch
High School Checklist (Parent)
Browse Product Catalog