Bear Grips vs Custom Ink for Ultimate Frisbee Apparel

Ultimate frisbee clubs evaluating apparel platforms often compare Custom Ink and Bear Grips Pro Shops. Both can print club apparel. The platforms differ in workflow: Custom Ink is a bulk-order platform with batch fulfillment, while Bear Grips is a club shop platform with per-player direct ordering. The right fit depends on what the club wants its apparel program to do.

Minimums and Per-Player Ordering

Custom Ink. Bulk-order model. Pricing tiers favor 12+ pieces. Below 12, per-shirt cost climbs. The club captain or designee places one order, the box ships, and distribution happens locally.

Bear Grips Pro Shops. No minimum. The club opens a shop, and each player orders her own size individually. Shirts ship directly to the player.

For ultimate clubs with 7-30 players, Bear Grips' no-minimum model fits better than Custom Ink's bulk-pricing structure.

Pricing Comparison for an Ultimate Club Tee

Order Size	Custom Ink (approx)	Bear Grips VIP base
1 shirt	$22-26	$19.88
12 shirts	$18-22	$19.88
30 shirts	$16-20	$19.88

Bear Grips wins on small orders. Custom Ink wins at moderate-to-large bulk orders. Most ultimate clubs land in the 10-30 piece range where the pricing difference is small and the workflow difference is the bigger factor.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Turnaround and Workflow

Custom Ink. 2-3 weeks standard turnaround. Batch order. Captain handles distribution.

Bear Grips. About one week per order. Each player orders directly. Shirts ship direct.

For ultimate clubs that want always-on apparel and minimal captain logistics work, Bear Grips' model is structurally less work.

When Bear Grips Is the Better Fit

Bear Grips fits when the club wants:

• Always-on apparel without recurring batch orders.
• Per-player ordering with no captain front-funding.
• Multiple designs running simultaneously (practice tee, tournament gear, alumni reunion, senior class).
• Club revenue from apparel sales (club sets retail and keeps margin).
• Direct-to-player shipping so the captain doesn't distribute boxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bear Grips cheaper than Custom Ink for ultimate apparel?

On small orders (1-12 shirts), Bear Grips is typically cheaper. On large bulk orders (50+ shirts), Custom Ink's bulk pricing can go below Bear Grips' flat VIP base. Most ultimate clubs land in the 10-30 piece range where the difference is small.

Can ultimate clubs keep an always-on apparel shop on Bear Grips?

Yes. That is the platform's core model. The club opens a shop, adds designs, and players, alumni, and supporters order any time of year.

Can each player order on her own schedule on Bear Grips?

Yes. There is no order window. Players order whenever they want, and each order ships in about a week.

Can the ultimate club earn revenue from apparel?

Yes. The club sets retail and keeps the margin. A typical college club earns $4,000-$7,000 in annual apparel revenue.