Cheer gym owners comparing apparel platforms often end up evaluating Custom Ink and Bear Grips Pro Shops side by side. Both can print cheer gym apparel. The two work differently, and the right fit depends on whether the gym wants a bulk-order model (Custom Ink) or a per-athlete shop model (Bear Grips). This guide compares minimums, pricing, turnaround, design tools, and gym workflow.
This is the structural difference between the two platforms.
Custom Ink. Bulk-order model. The gym (or a designated parent) places one order for many shirts, the order ships as one box, and the gym distributes. Pricing tiers favor 12+ pieces. Below 12 pieces, per-shirt cost climbs.
Bear Grips Pro Shops. No minimum. The gym opens a shop, and each athlete and parent orders her own size and quantity. Shirts ship directly to the buyer. The gym does not collect orders, front money, or distribute.
When each works. Custom Ink fits a gym that wants one big gym-wide bulk order for a single event (e.g., a chapter-wide t-shirt for season kickoff). Bear Grips fits a gym that wants an always-on apparel shop where athletes and parents buy any time of year.
Comparing a cotton cheer practice tee with gym logo print:
| Order Size | Custom Ink (approx) | Bear Grips (VIP base) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 shirt | $22-26 | $19.88 | Bear Grips wins on small orders |
| 12 shirts | $18-22 each | $19.88 each | Custom Ink lower at moderate bulk |
| 50 shirts | $14-18 each | $19.88 each | Custom Ink lower at full bulk |
Custom Ink's bulk tiers can go below Bear Grips' flat VIP base at large orders. Bear Grips' flat pricing wins at small orders, repeat individual orders, and per-athlete purchase patterns where the gym does not need bulk volume.
The gym sets the retail price on Bear Grips. At a $30 chapter retail, the gym keeps $10.12 per shirt as revenue.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.Custom Ink. Standard production takes 2-3 weeks after order approval. Rush options available at higher cost.
Bear Grips. About one week per individual order. Each order ships as it comes in.
When each works. Custom Ink's batch model works if all athletes can wait 2-3 weeks and order together. Bear Grips' per-order model works if athletes order on their own schedule and want their apparel in about a week.
Custom Ink workflow. A designated parent or gym staff member collects sizes from each athlete, places one large order, fronts the gym's money, receives the box of shirts, sorts by size, and distributes. Gym labor and cash flow required upfront.
Bear Grips workflow. The gym sets up the shop once. The gym shares the shop link. Each athlete and parent orders her own shirt at her own time. Shirts ship direct. The gym sees revenue land in the dashboard. No collection, distribution, or front-funding.
For gyms that want always-on apparel without recurring parent volunteer coordination, Bear Grips is structurally less work.
Bear Grips is the better structural fit when the gym wants:
For a one-time gym-wide bulk order with no ongoing apparel program, Custom Ink's batch model can be lower-cost per shirt. Bear Grips' value compounds across a full cheer season.
Free shop, no minimum, athlete-direct shipping. Structural alternative to bulk orders.
Start FreeOn small orders (1-10 shirts), Bear Grips is typically cheaper. On large bulk orders (50+ shirts), Custom Ink's bulk pricing can go below Bear Grips' flat VIP base. The right platform depends on order size and ordering pattern.
Yes. That is the platform's core model. The gym sets up a shop, adds designs, and athletes and parents order any time of year. The shop stays live without the gym placing recurring bulk orders.
Yes. There is no order window. Members order whenever they want, and each order ships in about a week.
Yes. The gym sets retail pricing and keeps the margin between the VIP base and retail. A typical gym earns $8 to $15 per shirt sold, accumulating into gym revenue across the season.
Bear Grips Pro Shops