An Apliiq Alternative for DTF, Screen Print Style Tees, and Cheap Custom Shirts

Searches for DTF printing, silkscreen tees, and cheap custom shirts usually trace back to the same frustration: traditional screen printing charges a setup fee per color and requires a minimum order to make the math work, and per-color pricing on some print-on-demand platforms still adds up fast on a multi-color design. Bear Grips Pro Shops runs a flat per-piece price with unlimited design colors and elements included, so a five-color logo costs the same as a one-color logo.

Why traditional screen printing gets expensive fast

Classic screen printing works by burning a physical screen (or plate) per color in the design. That means:

• A setup or plate fee charged per color, often $15-30 each
• A minimum order, commonly 12-24 pieces, to make the per-color setup cost worthwhile
• A per-piece price that still climbs with each added color

That model punishes small runs and multi-color designs, which is exactly the situation a gym testing a first tee design or a small business ordering a dozen shirts runs into.

The flat per-piece price model

Order type	Traditional screen print	Bear Grips Pro Shops
1-color design, 1 piece	Setup fee + high per-piece cost	$19.88 VIP base, no setup fee
5-color design, 1 piece	5x setup fee	$19.88 VIP base, same price
1 piece order	Often refused or upcharged	Standard price, no minimum
100 piece order	Lower per-piece after setup amortizes	Same $19.88 VIP base

The Airlume Cotton Tee at $19.88 VIP base is the lowest-cost entry point in the catalog, and it holds that price regardless of how many colors the design uses.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

DTF and print technique questions we get honestly

Sellers researching Apliiq or other platforms sometimes ask specifically about the print technique (DTF, DTG, screen print) used behind the scenes. We do not publish the underlying print method as a marketing detail, since what actually matters to most buyers is the result: unlimited colors at one price, no setup fee, no plate charge, and a design that holds up to normal wash and wear. If print technique specifics are the deciding factor, request a sample before committing a full order.

When bulk pricing still helps

Even with a flat per-piece price and no volume discount, a no-minimum model still helps a bulk buyer: there is no risk in testing a design at 1-5 pieces before committing to a 50-piece team order, since the per-piece price never changes either direction. That test-then-scale workflow is the opposite of the screen-print model, where testing small is the expensive option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a charge per color on a design?

No. Unlimited colors and design elements are included at the same flat per-piece price.

What is the cheapest tee in the catalog?

The Airlume Cotton Tee at $19.88 VIP base is the lowest-cost entry point.

Is there a minimum order?

No. One piece ships at the same per-piece price as a hundred.

How does this compare to Apliiq on print technique?

Apliiq offers deeper garment construction options including cut-and-sew and all-over print builds. For a straightforward, multi-color tee at one flat price with no setup fee, a hosted catalog model covers that need directly.