The leading supplier in branded merchandise is getting even larger.
Late Monday, BELLA+CANVAS (PPAI 304892, Silver) announced it had entered a “definitive agreement” with SanMar (PPAI 110788, Platinum) that would see the Issaquah, Washington-based apparel giant take ownership of BELLA+CANVAS while preserving it as a distinct and independent brand.
PPAI Media has confirmed the announcement with sources close to SanMar.
Executive Vice-President Megan Spire will retain her leading role at BELLA+CANVAS.
Founded in 1992, BELLA+CANVAS has become known in the industry for its fashion-driven basics, such as T-shirts and hoodies. SanMar is the largest apparel supplier in branded merchandise, driving an estimated $4.1 billion in 2025 revenue. It has ranked No. 1 among PPAI 100 suppliers since the inception of the measurement of industry leaders in 2023.
“As the fashion leader in the industry, BELLA+CANVAS has earned the trust and respect it holds today,” says SanMar President and CEO Jeremy Lott. “Our commitment is simple: Give BELLA+CANVAS the focused ownership and resources it needs to keep doing what it does best and to deliver even more of what the market expects from this exceptional brand.”
Jeremy Lott
President & CEO, SanMar
Headquartered in Los Angeles where it bases its dye and cut operations, BELLA+CANVAS has two additional distribution facilities in Nevada and Maryland.
According to the announcement, BELLA+CANVAS will be “maintaining the creative autonomy and clear point of view that have always defined the brand.”
“BELLA+CANVAS has always operated with a simple conviction: The people who print, decorate and sell our products deserve the best blank apparel in the world,” Spire says. “That belief is not changing. With focused ownership and additional investment behind the brand, we will be able to bring more newness, more innovation and an even stronger commitment to the partners who make BELLA+CANVAS what it is while staying true to who we’ve always been. I have never been more excited to lead this brand.”
Megan Spire
Executive Vice President, BELLA+CANVAS
Departing the company in the change of ownership are Danny Harris and Marco DeGeorge, who co-founded BELLA+CANVAS as a garage screen printer in 1992. Their apparel empire also includes billion-dollar retail brand Alo Yoga.
Harris and DeGeorge cited the importance of finding the right owner for BELLA+CANVAS in an acquisition, mentioning SanMar’s family-owned structure.
- “SanMar believes deeply in this brand and is uniquely positioned to support its growth through inventory depth, service, and operational excellence. The BELLA+CANVAS legacy lives on, and I can’t wait to see what comes next,” Harris says.
- DeGeorge says: “We know SanMar will be exceptional stewards of the brand and of the BELLA+CANVAS team who continues to shape it today.”
While BELLA+CANVAS has maintained privacy over its blank and decorated apparel revenue, the company is among the largest sources of wearables in the industry. As recently as 2023, it employed more than 700 people across its facilities and boasted nearly 1.5 million square feet of operations.
PPAI Media will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
