A Custom Ink order does not come with a single sticker price the way a fixed catalog does. Because the business is built around group orders quoted per run, the final per-piece cost depends on how many pieces the group buys, how many print colors the design uses, which blank is chosen, and whether the group needs a faster turnaround. Here is the cost stack broken into its parts, and how it compares to a single fixed price that already includes printing and free shipping.
| Cost variable | Custom Ink (group order model) | Bear Grips Pro Shops |
|---|---|---|
| Per-item base price | Quoted, changes with quantity and product | Fixed, tees from $19.88 VIP base |
| Print colors | Can add cost depending on the print method and design | Unlimited colors at the same per-piece price |
| Order minimum | Minimum order size on many styles, varies by product | 1 piece |
| Shipping to buyer | Often a flat rate or free above a set order threshold | Free, built into the item price |
| Rush turnaround | Faster production available, typically priced separately | Standard production, about a week, no rush tier needed |
| Monthly platform fee | None, priced per order | $0 (Free), $59/mo (Self-Service VIP), $105/mo (Done-For-You VIP) |
A group order business quotes each run individually because the cost inputs (blank, print method, color count, quantity) are different every time. A small group ordering a handful of pieces with a full-color design pays a different rate than a large group ordering a single-color print in bulk. That is a reasonable way to price a one-time run, but it means a vendor cannot compare "Custom Ink pricing" to a flat catalog price without first getting a specific quote for their exact design and quantity.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.Group order shipping is commonly structured as a flat rate per order or free once the group hits a set quantity threshold, since the whole run typically ships together to the group leader or is split to individual addresses depending on the option chosen. A buyer comparing that structure to an ongoing shop should check whether shipping applies per person or per group order. Bear Grips Pro Shops folds shipping into the sticker price on every single order, so there is no threshold to hit and no separate line to calculate.
The Free plan costs $0/mo for 3 live products at a higher per-item base price, useful for testing the model with no commitment. Self-Service VIP at $59/mo unlocks 200 live products at the lowest base prices in the catalog, saving $4 to $11 per item depending on the product. Done-For-You VIP at $105/mo adds a personal shop advisor, done-for-you product selection and mockups, and pre-written product copy, so the vendor only sends one design a month.
A vendor comparing the two models should total four things: the per-item price at the quantity they actually plan to sell, whether extra print colors change that price, whether shipping is included or added separately, and whether the order needs to be closed and requoted for the next run. Bear Grips Pro Shops folds all four into a single line: one catalog price that includes free US shipping and unlimited colors, with the shop staying open for the next sale without a new quote. See the full Bear Grips vs Custom Ink comparison for how the two models stack up beyond price.
Printing and free shipping folded into one fixed catalog price. Free plan to start, no card required.
Start FreeFees can depend on the print method, design, and quantity chosen for a specific run. A vendor should confirm the total in the quote before approving a design.
It depends on the order size and any current offer. Shipping is commonly structured as a flat rate or free above a set threshold rather than built into every item price by default.
The Free plan is $0/mo with 3 live products. There is no forced upgrade to test the model.
Yes. Every plan, including Free, has free US shipping built into the per-item base price.
Bear Grips Pro Shops