Custom Ink Alternative for Volleyball Teams
- Bear Grips Pro Shops is a Custom Ink alternative with a permanent shop, not just a one-time order.
- No minimum -- one shirt ships the same as a full team order.
- Programs earn a profit margin on every sale. Custom Ink has no program profit model.
- Done-For-You VIP applies your design to 15 products monthly with no work from the coach.
Volleyball programs that have used Custom Ink for team shirts hit the same wall eventually: every new season means starting the order process from scratch, collecting sizes and money again, and shipping everything to one place to distribute. Bear Grips Pro Shops is built as the permanent alternative -- a branded storefront your volleyball program reuses every season, where players and parents order on their own schedule and shirts ship directly to them. No collection windows, no size management, and a profit margin on every order that goes back to the program.
Custom Ink vs Bear Grips: Side by Side
The structural differences for volleyball programs:
| Feature | Custom Ink | Bear Grips Pro Shops |
|---|---|---|
| Order model | One-time group order | Permanent shop, open always |
| Minimum | 6 items minimum | No minimum |
| Payment model | Group pay or one payer | Each person pays at checkout |
| Program profit | None | You set your margin on every item |
| Distribution | Ships to one address | Ships to each person directly |
| Repeat ordering | New order every time | Same link, automatic reorders |
| Volleyball-specific service | General custom apparel | Sport-specific DFY design option |
What Volleyball Programs Gain with a Permanent Shop
The difference between a one-time Custom Ink order and a permanent Bear Grips Pro Shop is the difference between a single transaction and a revenue channel.
- Year-round orders. A parent who missed the initial order window can order six weeks later from the same link. Alumni order in the off-season. New players order when they join mid-year.
- No collection overhead. The coach or booster club does not collect money or manage sizes. The shop handles all of it.
- Passive program income. Every order earns the program the margin you set. A volleyball program with a shop that generates 15 orders per month at $12 average profit earns $2,160 per year with no additional work after setup.
- Fan and parent apparel. Custom Ink orders are typically for the team. A permanent Bear Grips shop sells to fans, parents, and alumni who find the link through the program's communication channels.
Done-For-You: The Feature Custom Ink Does Not Have
Custom Ink requires the program to manage its own design, product selection, and order coordination. Bear Grips Done-For-You VIP at $109/month removes all of that:
- Send in one design per month.
- A personal advisor applies it to 15 trending products with front and back mockups on every color variant.
- Product descriptions, pricing, and shop layout are handled for you.
- Seasonally updated collections -- warm-weather gear in summer, hoodies and crewnecks in fall.
For volleyball coaches and club directors who want a professional apparel shop without spending time managing it, Done-For-You VIP is the option that Custom Ink has no equivalent for.
Switching from Custom Ink to Bear Grips
Programs that have an existing Custom Ink relationship can run a Bear Grips Pro Shop in parallel before fully switching. The process:
- Sign up for a free Bear Grips account (no credit card required).
- Upload the design used on your last Custom Ink order.
- Set up a hoodie, a tee, and a parent fan shirt as your three starter products.
- Share the link with the team and parents alongside your next Custom Ink announcement.
- After one season, evaluate which channel generated more orders and consolidate.
Most programs find the permanent shop generates more total orders than a single Custom Ink window because it stays open year-round. See volleyball apparel store setup for the complete guide.
The Permanent Alternative to Custom Ink for Volleyball
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Get Started FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What is a good Custom Ink alternative for volleyball teams?
Bear Grips Pro Shops is the top alternative for programs that want a permanent storefront, no minimum, and program profit on every sale. Custom Ink is better for truly one-time event orders.
Does Bear Grips have a minimum order like Custom Ink?
No. Bear Grips has no minimum. One shirt ships the same as a hundred.
Can my volleyball program earn money from shirt sales, unlike Custom Ink?
Yes. You set a profit margin on every product. Every order earns the program that margin automatically. Custom Ink has no program profit model.
How is Bear Grips different from Custom Ink for volleyball teams?
Bear Grips is a permanent shop model. Custom Ink is a one-time order model. With Bear Grips, the same link stays open year-round, players and parents order on their own schedule, and shirts ship directly to them.
Does Bear Grips offer volleyball-specific design service?
Yes. Done-For-You VIP at $109/month applies your design to 15 trending products with front and back mockups each month. Custom Ink does not offer sport-specific managed design service.
