Cheap Custom Polo Shirts for Staff: Budget Options That Still Look Sharp

May 1, 2026 5 min read By Eli Goldberg

Quick Answer

Both Bear Grips polo options price at $34.88 VIP base, performance and cotton pique.
Polos cost more than tees, but pay for themselves fast on client-facing visits.
A cheap polo program means one style done well, not three styles done thin.
No minimum order, single-piece printing on both mens and womens cuts.

Table of Contents

The two polo options
Why polos justify the price gap
Keeping the polo program cheap
Retail and internal pricing
Frequently Asked Questions

Polos sit at the top of the daily-wear price ladder for most small businesses, and that makes owners nervous about ordering them cheap. The good news is both polo options in the Bear Grips catalog price identically at $34.88 VIP base, so the budget decision is really about which fabric fits the job, not which one costs less.

The Two Polo Options, Same Price

Piece	Brand	Best for	VIP base
Mens Performance Polo Shirt	Sport-Tek	Hot weather, sweat-friendly, outdoor client visits	$34.88
Mens Premium Cotton Pique Polo	Gildan	Office, classic look, indoor client visits	$34.88
Womens Premium Cotton Pique Polo	Gildan	Office, dispatch, client-facing staff	$34.88

Why Polos Justify the Price Gap Over Tees

A cotton tee at $19.88 is $15 cheaper than a polo, but the two pieces do different jobs. Polos read as client-facing and professional in a way a tee does not, particularly for estimates, sales calls, and front-desk staff. Spending the extra $15 on the roles that actually meet customers, while keeping tees for back-of-house staff, keeps the overall shop cheap without cutting the polo where it matters.

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

Keeping the Polo Program Cheap Without Looking It

One style, one logo placement. Left chest embroidery or print, no complicated multi-placement designs that add design time.
Order only for client-facing roles. Not every staff member needs a polo. Reserve the higher-ticket item for the roles where it earns its keep.
Single piece ordering. New hires in client-facing roles get their polo the same week, no bulk-order wait.

Retail and Internal Pricing for Staff Polos

Use case	Suggested price	Notes
Company-issued to staff	At cost ($34.88)	Company absorbs cost as a uniform expense
Staff self-serve with subsidy	$17-$20 (half off base)	Company covers the rest through a discount code
Public retail (client gift or sale)	$44.88-$49.88	$10-$15 margin, competitive with typical polo retail

Outfit Client-Facing Staff for Less

Performance or cotton pique polos at $34.88 VIP base, no minimum order.

Start Free

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest custom polo option on Bear Grips?

Both the Sport-Tek performance polo and the Gildan cotton pique polo price at $34.88 VIP base, so the choice comes down to fabric, not cost.

Is a $34.88 polo actually cheap?

Compared to a bulk-embroidered polo order from a local shop, which typically runs $30-$45 per piece plus a setup fee and a minimum order, yes. There is no setup fee and no minimum here.

Do I need to order polos for every staff member?

No. Most small businesses reserve polos for client-facing roles and keep tees for back-of-house staff to control the total spend.

Can I order one polo to test the embroidery before a full rollout?

Yes. There is no minimum order. Test one polo, confirm the placement and thread colors, then roll it out.

Eli GoldbergSmall Business Branding Writer

Eli writes about small business and startup branding. He spent eight years in B2B marketing before going independent and covers how small companies use apparel for swag, conferences, hiring events, and team building.