Bear Grips Pro ShopsA Custom Ink Alternative Built for Climbing Gyms
- Side-by-side comparison: Custom Ink vs Bear Grips Pro Shops for climbing gyms.
- No minimums, no setup fees, per-member ordering instead of group order forms.
- Lower per-piece price on most products plus an ongoing storefront.
- Free US shipping, in members hands in about a week.
Custom Ink is the default search result when a climbing gym owner needs custom shirts, but its model is built for one-time group orders, not ongoing gym apparel programs. Custom Ink requires minimums (usually 6 to 12 pieces depending on product), charges setup fees on complex designs, and has no concept of a persistent member storefront. For a climbing gym running a real apparel program, an alternative built for ongoing, per-member ordering wins on cost, time, and revenue.
How the two platforms actually differ
| Feature | Custom Ink | Bear Grips Pro Shops |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum order | 6 to 12 pieces | One piece |
| Setup fee | Yes on multi-color | None |
| Persistent storefront | No | Yes, branded URL |
| Per-member checkout | Group order form only | Yes, individual orders |
| Shipping | Bulk to organizer | Direct to each member |
| Re-order workflow | Start a new order | Always live, same shop |
When Custom Ink is still the right choice
Custom Ink has its place. If a climbing gym is doing a one-time group screen-print run of 50 identical tees with no follow-up demand, Custom Ink can compete on per-piece pricing at high volume. They also offer screen printing on heavier weight blanks that work for specific use cases.
What Custom Ink does not do: handle ongoing member ordering, per-climber customization, or staff re-orders without restarting the order process from scratch.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.The math on a 25 piece comp team kit
A typical climbing comp team needs 25 tees with each climber's name on the back. Running the math:
- Custom Ink: 25 piece order at ~$22 per tee plus name setup fees of ~$2.50 per piece. Coach collects sizes and names manually, then submits one big order. Total: ~$612 plus 8 hours of coach time.
- Bear Grips Pro Shops: parents order direct from the team page in the gym shop. Per-piece price stays $19.88 VIP base. Each climber adds their own name at checkout. Coach time: zero.
The gym owner sets the retail at $35 per tee and earns $375 in margin on the same 25 piece order. Custom Ink margin to the gym: zero.
Switching from Custom Ink: what to expect
Gym owners switching from Custom Ink usually report three observations:
- Faster turnaround: one week direct to each member versus 2-3 week bulk delivery to the gym.
- Less administration: no clipboard sign-up sheets, no chasing payment, no missed sizes.
- Recurring revenue: the shop stays live year round so off-season ordering still happens, which is impossible with Custom Ink.
Move Your Climbing Gym Off Custom Ink
Same brands, no minimums, persistent storefront, per-member checkout. Free to start, ships in about a week.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Are the blanks the same quality as Custom Ink?
We carry the same major brands: Bella+Canvas, Next Level, Sport-Tek, Champion, Gildan, Independent Trading Co, Cotton Heritage, Comfort Colors.
Does the print hold up like a Custom Ink screen print?
Yes. Our print process is rated for athletic apparel and survives season-long wear. For some heavyweight cotton tee use cases, screen printing has a slightly thicker hand, but the durability difference is negligible.
Can I still place a one-time bulk order if needed?
Yes. Bulk runs go through the same shop at the same per-piece price.
What if a member wants a single piece months after a team launch?
The shop stays live. They order anytime. The shirt ships in a week. This is the biggest functional difference.
