The actual cost of Printify, Printful, and Custom Ink is not one number, it is a structure, and the structure differs meaningfully between the three. Printify and Printful set a base cost per item and typically pass shipping to the buyer separately depending on the storefront integration. Custom Ink prices per order with a quote that moves based on quantity, print colors, and product style. None of the three include a branded storefront in that base price. Here is where the fees actually live in each model.
Both platforms charge a base cost per item that a seller marks up to set retail price. On top of that base cost, the seller separately needs: a storefront subscription (Shopify runs roughly $29-79/mo depending on plan; Etsy charges per-listing and transaction fees), and in most integrations, shipping charged to the buyer at checkout rather than folded into the item price. The visible sticker price on a listing is rarely the full cost the buyer ends up paying once shipping is added at checkout.
Custom Ink quotes per order rather than per platform subscription. The quote moves with total quantity, number of print colors, product style, and turnaround speed. There is no monthly platform fee, but the group-order structure means the price is locked in at the point the order closes rather than staying available as an ongoing catalog price.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.| Fee type | Printify/Printful | Custom Ink | Bear Grips Pro Shops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base item cost | Per-item, varies by provider | Per-order quote, varies by quantity/colors | Fixed catalog price (tees from $19.88 VIP base) |
| Storefront subscription | Separate (Shopify/Etsy/WooCommerce) | Not applicable, order page included | Included on every plan |
| Shipping to buyer | Typically charged separately | Often flat rate or free above a threshold | Free, included in item price |
| Setup or per-color fee | None on digital print methods | Can apply per print color on some methods | None, unlimited colors per design |
| Monthly platform cost | $0 (backend) + storefront subscription | $0, priced per order | $0, $59/mo, or $105/mo |
A buyer comparing a $22 tee across platforms is not comparing the same total. On a Printify or Printful storefront, shipping charged at checkout can add $5-9 on top. On Custom Ink, the group price is typically all-in for the group but locked to the order window. On Bear Grips Pro Shops, the listed retail price the vendor sets is the full price the buyer pays, since shipping is already folded in. Buyers abandon carts more when an unexpected shipping charge appears late in checkout, so an all-in price tends to convert better regardless of the platform.
No storefront subscription, no per-color setup fee, no surprise shipping charge at checkout. Free plan to start.
Start FreeThe fulfillment side is typically free or has a paid tier for premium features, but the storefront it connects to (Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce) carries its own separate subscription or fee.
It can be, since there is no ongoing platform subscription, only a per-order quote. The tradeoff is that the order closes rather than staying available for repeat buyers.
No. Designs can use unlimited colors at the same fixed per-piece price with no setup fee.
It depends on the specific provider and storefront setup for Printify, Printful, and Custom Ink. Bear Grips Pro Shops publishes one fixed base price (from $19.88 VIP) with shipping included, so there is no separate quote step.
Bear Grips Pro Shops