Bear Grips Pro ShopsCustom Shirt Profit Margins: What to Charge From Tee to Hoodie
- Custom shirt profit is the gap between the base price you pay and the retail price you set. You control both ends.
- Bear Grips VIP base prices run from $19.88 for a basic cotton tee to $45.88 for a Champion performance hoodie.
- The default recommended profit is $10 per item, though vendors set their own retail price with no restrictions.
- A VIP plan at $59/month pays for itself after roughly 6 shirts sold at the default $10 margin.
What Custom Shirts Actually Cost at the Base Level
| Product | Free base price | VIP base price | VIP savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airlume cotton athletic tee | $23.93 | $19.88 | $4.05 |
| Women's favorite tee (Bella+Canvas) | $23.93 | $19.88 | $4.05 |
| Men's moisture-wicking tee (Sport-Tek) | $28.88 | $23.86 | $5.02 |
| Premium cotton crew tee (Next Level) | $28.95 | $23.88 | $5.07 |
| Men's performance polo (Sport-Tek) | $41.93 | $34.88 | $7.05 |
| Comfort soft hoodie (Bear Grips) | $44.94 | $36.88 | $8.06 |
| Unisex Champion performance hoodie | $53.93 | $45.88 | $8.05 |
VIP saves $4-$11 per item over the free tier, depending on the product, which is the single biggest lever for improving margin without touching retail price.
How to Set a Retail Price That Actually Sells
Bear Grips recommends a default profit of $10 per item as a starting point, though vendors set their own retail price or profit target with no restrictions. Working retail ranges most vendors land on:
- Basic cotton tee: $28-$32 retail on a $19.88-$23.88 VIP base.
- Performance tee or tank: $30-$34 retail on a $19.88-$25.88 VIP base.
- Polo shirt: $44-$50 retail on a $34.88 VIP base.
- Hoodie: $54-$65 retail on a $36.88-$45.88 VIP base.
When the VIP Plan Pays for Itself
Self-Service VIP costs $59/month and lowers the base price on every product in the catalog. At the default $10 margin, roughly 6 shirts sold in a month covers the plan cost, and every sale beyond that is straight profit on top of the lower base price. Done-For-You VIP runs $105/month and adds a monthly design service, curated mockups, and pricing built from real sales data on top of the same lower base pricing.
Where the Profit Math Changes By Piece
Not every product carries the same margin percentage. A $19.88 tee sold at $30 is a 51% margin over base. A $45.88 hoodie sold at $60 is a 31% margin over base but a larger dollar amount per sale. Most working shops run a mix: tees and hats to build volume, hoodies and polos to build per-order profit. See the full catalog buying guide for which pieces balance quality against margin best.
See Your Real Margin Per Product
Every product page shows the exact base price. Set your retail price, keep the difference.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
How much does print on demand actually cost per shirt?
VIP base prices run $19.88-$25.88 for tees and tanks, $34.88-$45.88 for polos and hoodies. Free plan base prices run $4-$11 higher per item on the same products.
What is a normal profit margin on a custom shirt?
Bear Grips recommends a $10 default profit per item as a starting point. Many vendors charge more on hoodies and premium pieces where the perceived value supports a higher retail price.
Do I have to use the recommended pricing?
No. Vendors set their own retail price or profit dollar amount on every product with no platform restriction either way.
Is VIP worth the monthly cost?
At the default $10 margin, roughly 6 sales a month covers the $59 VIP plan cost, and VIP also unlocks 200 live products instead of the free plan's 3.
