Custom Ink Alternative for Olympic Lifting Gyms

Olympic lifting gym owners comparing Custom Ink and Bear Grips Pro Shops usually find Custom Ink works for one-time bulk runs but does not fit ongoing gym merch operations. Custom Ink minimums and one-off pricing do not work for a gym that wants shirts as it hires coaches and onboards members. Here is the side-by-side and where each platform actually wins.

Where Custom Ink Wins for Olympic Lifting Gyms

• One-time large meet runs. A 100-shirt run for a regional meet hosted at your gym is well-suited to Custom Ink's bulk model.
• Large coach team kit launches. A 50-piece staff apparel run for a multi-coach gym launch.
• In-person design assistance. Their art team can clean up a sketch into a print-ready design as part of the order.

Where Bear Grips Pro Shops Wins for Olympic Lifting Gyms

• No minimum order. Custom Ink generally requires 6 or more per design. Bear Grips has no minimum. Order 1 shirt for a new coach hire at the same per-unit price.
• Lower per-unit cost on small runs. A 3-shirt coach order at Custom Ink lands above $25 per shirt after setup. The same 3 shirts on Bear Grips VIP land at $20 per shirt.
• Built-in member storefront. Bear Grips gives the gym a public shop URL where members can buy merch. Custom Ink does not offer ongoing storefront fulfillment.
• Twice-monthly profit payouts. When members buy, your margin lands in your account. Custom Ink has limited fundraising but not an ongoing merch revenue model.
• No setup fees. Custom Ink charges setup and ink-color fees on small orders. Bear Grips does not.

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

Side-by-Side: Custom Ink vs Bear Grips for Olympic Lifting Gyms

Feature	Custom Ink	Bear Grips Pro Shops
Minimum order	Typically 6 per design	None
Setup fees	Often $50 to $100 per order	None
Per-unit price (3 tees)	$25 to $35	$20 VIP, $24 Free
Member merch storefront	Limited fundraising option	Full storefront with payouts
Reorder a single shirt	Hits minimum again	One shirt at same price
Free shipping	Varies	Always included to end customer
Monthly cost	$0 (pay-per-order)	$0 Free, $59 VIP, $109 DFY

When Olympic Lifting Gyms Use Both Platforms

Some larger gyms split orders by use case:

• Custom Ink for one-time large runs (regional meets hosted at the gym, large coach team launches).
• Bear Grips Pro Shops for ongoing member merch, coach shirts, replacement orders, meet team apparel, and limited-edition drops.

Most olympic lifting gyms settle on Bear Grips alone after 3 to 6 months because the no-minimum model covers everything an active gym actually needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cheaper alternative to Custom Ink for olympic lifting gym shirts?

For small-to-mid orders (under 30 pieces per design), Bear Grips Pro Shops is significantly cheaper than Custom Ink because of no minimums and no setup fees. Per-unit pricing on a 3-shirt coach order lands $5 to $15 lower per piece than Custom Ink.

Why do olympic lifting gyms switch from Custom Ink to Bear Grips?

No minimum order (Custom Ink usually requires 6+), built-in member merch storefront with profit payouts, lower per-unit pricing on small runs, and no setup fees. Olympic lifting gyms scaling member apparel as they grow benefit most from the no-minimum flexibility.

Can my gym sell merch to members through Custom Ink?

Custom Ink has a limited fundraising and group-order option but not an ongoing public storefront with twice-monthly profit payouts. Bear Grips Pro Shops includes a full storefront URL where members can buy any merch, with margin paid back to you on a regular schedule.