Bear Grips vs Custom Ink for Hockey Team Apparel
- Custom Ink requires order minimums; Bear Grips has none.
- Bear Grips gives you a permanent online shop; Custom Ink processes one-time orders.
- Bear Grips vendors earn profit on every sale; Custom Ink charges you, not the other way.
- For ongoing team apparel (not one-time events), Bear Grips is the better model.
If you are looking for a Custom Ink alternative for hockey teams, the difference comes down to one key question: do you need a one-time order or an ongoing shop? Custom Ink is a custom apparel printer with minimum order requirements. Bear Grips Pro Shops is a branded storefront model where your team shop stays open indefinitely and you earn profit on every sale -- no minimums, no upfront payment for inventory.
How Custom Ink Works for Hockey Teams
Custom Ink is one of the largest custom apparel platforms in the US. For hockey teams, it is a common first stop. Here is how the Custom Ink process works:
- You log in and design your shirt using their online design tool
- You choose a quantity (minimums typically start at 6-12 pieces)
- You pay for the full order upfront
- Custom Ink prints and ships to your door in 1-3 weeks
- You distribute items to players and collect reimbursement from families
Custom Ink works well for truly one-time orders -- a team reunion shirt, a charity event tee, a one-season run of shirts where you know the exact count. The challenges start when you need ongoing apparel, flexible sizing, or a storefront parents can return to throughout the season.
How Bear Grips Pro Shops Works Differently
Bear Grips operates as a storefront platform, not an order processor. The difference in model creates different outcomes:
| Feature | Custom Ink | Bear Grips Pro Shops |
|---|---|---|
| Order minimum | Yes (6-12 pieces) | None |
| Upfront payment | Yes -- you pay before sale | No -- buyers pay at purchase |
| Ongoing shop | No -- one-time order | Yes -- permanent shop URL |
| Profit model | Cost to you | Revenue to you |
| Inventory held by you | Yes | No |
| Delivery to buyers | Bulk to organizer | Direct to each buyer |
| Seasonal restock | Repeat the order process | Already live in your shop |
When to Use Custom Ink and When Bear Grips Is the Better Choice
Custom Ink is the better choice when:
- You need one specific run of identical shirts for a single event (everyone gets the same size, same color, same design)
- You have a firm headcount and every person is known before ordering
- You want the design experience of their interactive design tool for a complex art piece
- Quantity is high enough to benefit from their bulk pricing
Bear Grips is the better choice when:
- Players and parents need to choose their own sizes
- You want parents to pay directly instead of fronting the money yourself
- You need the shop to stay open after the initial launch for late joiners, fans, and gift buyers
- You want to earn profit instead of just covering costs
- Your audience is geographically spread out (tournament families in 3+ states)
- You are running a fundraiser, not just a uniform order
Cost Comparison: Bear Grips vs Custom Ink for Hockey Teams
Direct price comparison is tricky because Custom Ink prices change with quantity and Custom Ink covers a wider range of product types. For the items that overlap (t-shirts, hoodies), here is a rough picture:
Custom t-shirt, quantity 25:
- Custom Ink: approximately $12-15/shirt all-in
- Bear Grips (VIP): $19.88 base, buyer pays retail ($30-35) -- the organizer earns $10+
At first glance Custom Ink is cheaper per shirt for a bulk organizer order. But Bear Grips flips the model: instead of the organizer paying $12/shirt and collecting $12 back from 25 families, the organizer earns $10 on each of those same 25 shirts. The difference is $22/shirt in the organizer's favor when framed as a profit model instead of a cost model.
The model only works if the organizer is comfortable not subsidizing prices -- meaning buyers pay market retail. Most hockey families do not blink at $30-35 for a team tee or $50-60 for a hoodie when it has their kid's team logo.
Try the Hockey Apparel Model That Pays You Back
Open a free Bear Grips Pro Shop. No minimums, no upfront cost. Your hockey community orders and pays directly -- you keep the markup on every item sold.
Get Started FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Is Bear Grips a good alternative to Custom Ink for hockey teams?
Yes, for teams that want an ongoing storefront rather than one-time bulk orders. Bear Grips has no minimums, gives you a permanent shop URL, and earns you profit on every sale instead of costing you per item.
Does Bear Grips have lower prices than Custom Ink?
Not necessarily on a pure per-item basis for large bulk orders. But Bear Grips flips the model -- instead of you paying for shirts and collecting reimbursement, buyers pay you directly and you keep the markup as profit.
What can Custom Ink do that Bear Grips cannot?
Custom Ink offers cut-and-sew jerseys, sublimation printing, and a wider range of specialty items. Bear Grips focuses on premium branded apparel -- tees, hoodies, hats, leggings, and joggers -- which covers the core hockey team apparel needs.
Can I use both Custom Ink and Bear Grips for hockey apparel?
Yes. Many programs use Custom Ink for specific one-time runs (like a tournament jersey with complex artwork) and Bear Grips for ongoing everyday team apparel, parent fan gear, and booster club fundraising.
