Bear Grips Pro ShopsSchool Staff Apparel: A Custom Ink Alternative for PTOs and Admin
- Custom Ink runs on batch orders with minimums and one-time fundraiser links
- Bear Grips Pro Shops runs on a year-round shop with no minimum and no fundraiser deadline
- Per-piece cost lands similar at scale, but no-minimum changes what is possible for small schools
- PTO margin works the same way, but without the one-time campaign expiration
Custom Ink is the default reference point for most school apparel orders. Bear Grips Pro Shops takes a different approach: no minimum order, year-round shop link, and PTO margin that flows month over month instead of campaign over campaign. Here is the side-by-side for PTOs and admin teams comparing the two.
How Each Platform Actually Runs
Custom Ink: Open a campaign, set a deadline (usually 7 to 14 days), families order during the window, the order ships in batch after the window closes. If the campaign hits the minimum, it produces. If not, it cancels.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Open a shop link, no deadline, no minimum. Families and staff order whenever (back-to-school night, October hoodie weather, January refresh). Each order produces and ships independently in about a week.
What No Minimum Changes
The minimum order is the line that determines whether a small school can run a program at all.
- A 22-staff small elementary cannot hit a 48-piece minimum on a staff-only order. With no minimum, they can.
- A 6-chaperone field trip cannot hit a 24-piece minimum. With no minimum, they can.
- A new principal hire midway through the year cannot order one polo on a fundraiser link. With no minimum, they can.
Per-Piece Cost Comparison
At standard quantities (50+ pieces per design), the per-piece cost lands similar across both platforms. Custom Ink advertises lower per-piece on large campaigns; Bear Grips advertises consistent per-piece regardless of size.
| Item | Custom Ink approximate | Bear Grips VIP base |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton spirit tee (24-piece order) | $15 to $20 | $19.88 |
| Cotton spirit tee (100-piece order) | $10 to $14 | $19.88 |
| Embroidered polo (24-piece order) | $26 to $34 | $34.88 |
| Hoodie (24-piece order) | $32 to $40 | $36.88 |
The honest read: Custom Ink wins on per-piece cost at very large orders. Bear Grips wins on flexibility, no-minimum access, and year-round availability.
How PTO Margin Compares
- Custom Ink Fundraising: Each campaign earns a fundraising margin. Margin closes when the campaign ends.
- Bear Grips: Margin accrues every time a piece sells, year-round. No campaign deadline.
For a school with steady year-round demand, the Bear Grips model returns more annually because the shop never closes. See school staff shop revenue math for the annual numbers.
When Each Platform Wins
- Pick Custom Ink when: One-time event, single design, large quantity (200+), tight delivery window with a strong campaign deadline.
- Pick Bear Grips Pro Shops when: Year-round shop, multiple designs across the year, small school or single role (front office, athletics, counseling), no-minimum flexibility for new hires and growing programs.
Switch From Custom Ink for Your School Staff Shop
No minimum, no campaign deadlines, year-round shop. PTO margin accrues every month.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Is Bear Grips cheaper than Custom Ink per piece?
At 200+ piece orders Custom Ink is often cheaper per piece. At sub-50 piece orders or no-minimum scenarios Bear Grips comes out ahead.
Can a school run both platforms?
Yes. Many schools use Custom Ink for one-shot large events and Bear Grips for year-round shop runs.
How long does Bear Grips ship after an order?
About a week from order to delivery. Each order ships independently.
Does the PTO get a fundraising link on Bear Grips?
The whole shop functions as a year-round fundraising link. Margin flows on every order to the PTO account.
