Custom Tennis Club T-Shirts and Graphic Tees

Polo shirts are standard on-court apparel for clubs with dress codes. But most players spend more hours off the court than on it. A soft, well-fitted graphic tee is the piece they reach for at the coffee shop, the gym, or running errands on the weekend.

This reach is marketing. Every time a member wears a "Riverside Tennis Club" tee outside the club, it builds name recognition in the community. New players find you. Potential members ask about joining. The tee does the work.

Clubs that carry both polos (for court play) and graphic tees (for casual wear) consistently sell more apparel than clubs that only offer polo shirts. The two products serve different moments in a player's life.

The blank you choose affects how the final product feels and sells. Options in the Bear Grips catalog that work well for tennis clubs:

• Airlume Cotton Athletic Tee (Bear Grips brand): A premium ring-spun cotton blank with athletic fit. Takes print detail extremely well. Base from $19.88 VIP.
• Men's Premium Triblend Crew Tee (Next Level): The softest option in the catalog. A cotton-poly-rayon blend that hangs well and does not shrink dramatically after washing. Popular for lifestyle tees.
• Women's Premium Triblend Tee (Next Level): Same premium triblend in a women's cut. Pairs with the men's version for coordinated club sets.
• Oversized Boxy Crop Tee (Comfort Colors): A trendy option if your club skews younger or wants a fashion-forward aesthetic. The boxy fit is popular for players who train in athleisure.
• Premium Cotton Crew Tee (Next Level): A straightforward 100% cotton option at a mid-range price. Good for clubs that want a classic, durable everyday tee.

The design is what turns a blank shirt into a piece players actually want to own. These approaches consistently sell:

• Club name + founding year: "Riverside Tennis Club Est. 2004" in a bold collegiate font. Classic and versatile.
• Court graphic: A simplified overhead view of a tennis court rendered in a vintage or line-art style.
• Racquet badge: A circular or shield badge with crossed racquets and the club name. Works on both the front chest and as a larger back graphic.
• Score phrasing: Tennis score phrases like "40-Love" or "Advantage Out" as graphic typography.
• Club motto or slogan: Something the club actually uses internally. Insider phrases build belonging.

You do not need a designer to execute these. Most club logos already contain elements that translate directly to a shirt graphic. If you need help, the Done-For-You VIP plan includes design application across 15 products per month.

For more design ideas, see the full guide: Tennis Shirt Design Ideas.

T-shirts are higher-margin than polos because the base cost is lower. A premium triblend tee runs $23.88 base on the VIP plan. Price it at $38 retail and your margin is $14.12 per shirt.

Quick revenue scenario for a 60-member club:

Add a seasonal hoodie, a women's tank, and a hat to the mix and that same 60-member club easily clears $1,500 to $2,500 per year from the shop alone.

The fastest path from zero to a live shop:

1. Sign up for a free Bear Grips Pro Shop account (takes five minutes).
2. Upload your club logo as a PNG file.
3. Add three to five t-shirt products from the catalog. Choose one men's cut, one women's cut, and one unisex option.
4. Set retail prices with a $10 to $15 margin over your base cost.
5. Copy your shop URL and paste it into your club's group chat, email list, or social media bio.

That is it. No inventory to buy, no fulfillment to manage, no design agency to hire. Orders come in and ship automatically. Your margin arrives bi-weekly.

For clubs ready to build a full program beyond just tees, see Tennis Club Merch and Tennis Club Merchandise Store.