Printify, Printful, and Custom Ink get compared constantly because they solve the same starting problem (a business or creator needs custom apparel without owning a printer) in three different ways. Printify and Printful are print-on-demand connectors: they fulfill orders placed through a storefront you run somewhere else. Custom Ink is a group-order service built around a design tool and a closing order window rather than an ongoing shop. Knowing which model fits before picking a platform saves months of rebuilding later. This guide breaks down all three, then covers where an all-in-one option like Bear Grips Pro Shops fits for a business that wants a shop without stitching two systems together.
No, though they are close competitors in the same category. Both are fulfillment-backend platforms that connect to an external storefront (Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce) and print items only after a customer orders. The practical differences buyers research most are print provider networks, catalog size, and how each handles per-item base pricing. Neither includes a storefront on its own. A seller still needs Shopify, Etsy, or another sales channel to actually list and sell.
Custom Ink is built around one-time group orders, not an ongoing catalog. A team, office, or event organizer builds a design in an online design tool, shares a link, collects sizes from a group, and the order closes on a set date before printing starts. That model fits a single reunion shirt or a one-off team order well. It does not fit a business that wants a shop staying open all year with new buyers finding it on their own schedule.
| Category | Printify | Printful | Custom Ink |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core model | Fulfillment backend for an external store | Fulfillment backend for an external store | Closing group-order tool |
| Storefront included | No, connects to Shopify/Etsy/WooCommerce | No, connects to Shopify/Etsy/WooCommerce | Order page only, closes on a set date |
| Shipping to buyer | Charged separately in most integrations | Charged separately in most integrations | Often flat rate or free above a threshold |
| Order minimum | 1 piece | 1 piece | Minimum order size on many styles |
Three different buyers, three different right answers:
Printify and Printful never include the storefront itself. Custom Ink includes an order page, but it closes rather than staying open for repeat buyers. Bear Grips Pro Shops fills that specific gap: the branded shop URL is included on every plan, from the $0/mo Free tier (3 live products) through the $59/mo Self-Service VIP (200 products) and the $105/mo Done-For-You VIP (250 products, full white-glove build). No Shopify subscription, no closing order window, no second system to keep in sync.
| Item | Printify/Printful (typical) | Custom Ink (typical) | Bear Grips Pro Shops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton tee | ~$10-14 base + shipping charged separately | Quote-based, changes with quantity and print colors | $19.88 VIP base, free shipping included |
| Hoodie | ~$30-40 base + shipping charged separately | Quote-based | $36.88 VIP base, free shipping included |
| Storefront cost | Requires a separate Shopify/Etsy subscription | None, but order page closes after the window | Included on every plan |
The exact quote from Printify, Printful, or Custom Ink depends on quantity, colors, and print method, so a seller should always pull a live quote for their specific design before comparing final numbers.
Branded shop, fixed catalog pricing, free US shipping, no order minimum. Free plan to start.
Start FreeBase prices vary by product and print provider inside each platform's network, so the cheapest option depends on the specific item and location. Both charge shipping separately from the printed item in most storefront integrations.
Both connect to several storefront platforms (Etsy, WooCommerce, and others), but neither includes a storefront on its own. A seller still needs to run a store somewhere.
Custom Ink is built around a closing group order rather than a shop that stays open indefinitely. Businesses wanting an always-on shop typically look at an all-in-one storefront instead.
As the storefront-included option: no separate Shopify subscription, no closing order window, free shipping on every order, and no order minimum on any of the 63 products in the catalog.
Bear Grips Pro Shops