Is Bella Canvas Leaving S&S? SanMar Wholesale Update for Printing Shops
Jul 2, 2026 (Updated on Jul 3, 2026)
Industry News · Richardson, TX · July 1, 2026
In May we reported on SanMar's agreement to buy Bella Canvas, and we flagged one open question: would Bella Canvas eventually get pulled from S&S Activewear? As of late June, that question has an answer.
The deal has closed, SanMar is now the exclusive national wholesale distributor, and S&S has told its own customers that Bella Canvas will no longer be available through S&S over the long term.
For Dallas decorators, DFW apparel brands, schools, event organizers, and custom shirt buyers, the practical answer is simple: Bella Canvas is not discontinued, but the sourcing map is changing. Below is the full story step by step, the exact Bella Canvas model numbers this affects, the backup blanks that press well with DTF, and where we think the blank apparel market is heading next.
If you usually order Bella Canvas 3001, 3001CVC, triblends, fleece, or garment-dyed styles, this update is worth understanding before your next custom shirt order.
In this article
- Quick answer: is Bella Canvas leaving S&S?
- What just changed, and the full step-by-step timeline
- Why SanMar bought Bella Canvas
- Where you can still buy Bella Canvas
- The Bella Canvas lineup by model number
- Backup blanks by use case, with model numbers
- Best 3001 alternatives for DTF printing
- Press-room notes for switching blanks
- Where the consolidation goes next
- FAQ
Quick Answer: Is Bella Canvas Leaving S&S?
Yes, over the long term.
S&S Activewear has told customers that Bella Canvas will no longer be available through S&S once current inventory sells through. Bella Canvas is not discontinued, and the shirts themselves have not changed. What changed is the wholesale distribution channel.
What Just Changed
On June 29, 2026, SanMar completed its acquisition of Bella Canvas. The brand stays independent, headquartered in Los Angeles under Executive Vice President Megan Spire, and there is no announced change to the garments themselves. The change is about distribution. Going forward, SanMar is the exclusive national wholesale distributor of Bella Canvas. SanMar is one of the largest suppliers in the industry, so this is not a small player taking the reins.
S&S Activewear then sent its customers a direct message from CEO Frank Myers. In short: when the acquisition was first announced, the market was told Bella Canvas would stay available through authorized wholesalers nationwide. S&S has since learned that SanMar chose to be the sole national wholesaler, which means that over the long term customers will no longer be able to buy Bella Canvas through S&S. S&S can still fill near-term demand from existing inventory.
Confirmed now: The scenario our last post called "worth watching" has happened. SanMar is the exclusive national wholesale distributor for Bella Canvas, and S&S has confirmed the brand will phase out of its lineup once current stock sells through.
The Full Story, Step by Step
This did not happen overnight. It is the latest step in a two-year consolidation wave, and understanding the sequence tells you why it matters.
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2024: S&S buys alphabroder
S&S acquired alphabroder and folded two of the industry's largest wholesalers into one platform with more than six million square feet of warehouse space. That single move reset the balance of power at the distributor level.
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June 2025: Hanes goes S&S exclusive
HanesBrands named S&S the exclusive distributor of Hanes in the North American printwear channel, fully operational by December 31, 2025.
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Late 2025: Gildan goes S&S exclusive
Effective December 28, 2025, S&S became the exclusive US wholesaler for American Apparel and the exclusive Canadian wholesaler for the full Gildan portfolio: Gildan, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, and Champion.
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May 18, 2026: SanMar agrees to buy Bella Canvas
SanMar announced a definitive agreement to acquire Bella Canvas. At that point the message was continuity: the brand would stay independent and stay available through authorized wholesalers nationwide.
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June 29, 2026: the deal closes
SanMar completed the acquisition and confirmed it would be the exclusive national wholesale distributor. Founders Danny Harris and Marco DeGeorge exited, most production staff stayed with sister brand Alo Yoga, and roughly 50 front-office employees moved to SanMar.
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Late June 2026: S&S confirms the phase-out
S&S told customers that because SanMar chose to be the sole national wholesaler, Bella Canvas will no longer be available through S&S over the long term.
| Move | What happened | When |
|---|---|---|
| S&S acquires alphabroder | Two of the industry's biggest wholesalers combined into one platform | 2024 |
| HanesBrands to S&S (US) | S&S became the exclusive Hanes printwear distributor in North America | Announced June 2025; operational Dec. 31, 2025 |
| Gildan to S&S | Exclusive US wholesaler for American Apparel and exclusive Canadian wholesaler for Gildan, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, and Champion | Effective Dec. 28, 2025 |
| Bella Canvas to SanMar (US) | SanMar acquired the brand and became the exclusive national wholesale distributor | June 29, 2026 |
Viewed one at a time, each looks like ordinary business. Viewed together, they show exclusive distribution becoming a competitive weapon. Premium blanks are no longer just inventory. They are strategic assets, and controlling access to a brand customers ask for by name is now a real advantage. For decorators, that means fewer national fallbacks per premium brand.
Why Did SanMar Buy Bella Canvas?
Two forces appear to be driving this, and neither shows up clearly in the press release headline.
First, it reads as a counter-move. Over the previous 18 months, S&S had been winning brand after brand: the alphabroder acquisition, the Hanes exclusive, and the Gildan and American Apparel exclusives. Rather than chase another distribution contract, SanMar answered by buying a premium brand outright. Owning Bella Canvas is a stronger and more permanent position than distributing it, and it keeps one of the most requested premium tees inside SanMar's own house.
Second, there is a parent-company angle most coverage skips. Bella Canvas sat inside Color Image Apparel, the same parent as retail brand Alo Yoga. Reuters reported on June 23, 2026 that selling Bella Canvas was widely read as clearing the path for Alo's next chapter, since Bella Canvas wholesale price points complicated how investors valued the luxury activewear side. That is also why most Bella Canvas production staff stayed with Alo while only the front office moved to SanMar. SanMar framed the deal as a family-owned, long-term investment rather than a private-equity flip, which the founders said mattered to them.
Where Can You Still Buy Bella Canvas?
Nothing disappears overnight. The current picture is practical, not dramatic:
- SanMar is the go-forward national wholesale source, and it runs a large distribution center in the DFW area in Irving, so ground coverage across Texas should remain fast.
- Regional and local distributor partners continue to carry the brand: Atlantic Coast Cotton, Carolina Made, McCreary's Tees, Mission Imprintables, One Stop, SLC Activewear, and Staton.
- Other national wholesalers, including S&S, can sell only while their existing inventory lasts.
- Direct at bellacanvas.com.
So the honest read for the near term is: you can still get Bella Canvas. The thing you are losing is national sourcing flexibility, which matters most when a hot style or color goes on backorder during peak season. Distributor availability can change, so confirm current stock, account access, and regional availability before promising a specific style or color to a customer.
What This Means If You Print or Buy Custom Apparel in DFW
The fallout of any distributor shift is practical, not dramatic: temporary stockouts on popular styles and colors, possible price movement, and last-minute sourcing scrambles. A single backorder can stall a school spirit run, an event merch drop, a corporate uniform job, or a same-day order.
No US price increase has been announced, so price is not the headline. Availability and freight are. When one national channel owns a brand, allocation, shipping speed, and warehouse proximity all lean on that one channel. The shops that stay fast through changes like this are not necessarily the cheapest. They are the best planned.
For example, if a customer wants a premium retail-feel tee similar to the Bella Canvas 3001, Next Level 3600 may be a strong backup option. If the order needs a heavier or garment-dyed look, Comfort Colors 1717, Shaka Wear, or another heavyweight blank may be a better fit. If the goal is a budget-friendly bulk order, Gildan 5000, Gildan 64000 Softstyle, or another everyday blank may make more sense.
The Bella Canvas Lineup, by Model Number
If you print or resell, this news is really about specific SKUs. Here are the Bella Canvas styles many DFW shops run, and why each one matters. Bella Canvas Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton is known for a smooth print surface, which is one reason the brand is popular for DTF printing and custom shirts.
- 3001 Unisex Jersey Tee. The flagship and one of the best-selling premium tees in the market. 4.2 oz, 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, side-seamed with shoulder taping and a modern retail fit, available in a broad color range. This is the one customers ask for by name.
- 3001CVC. The heather version of the 3001, commonly listed as a cotton/poly blend. Same silhouette, softer heathered texture. Because it carries polyester, treat dye migration with the same care you would any blend when pressing DTF.
- 3413 Triblend Tee. A soft polyester, cotton, and rayon blend with a lived-in vintage drape. Popular for lifestyle and retro programs. Its higher polyester content deserves more attention to dye migration than the 100% cotton 3001.
- 3010 and 4610 Heavyweight Tees. Bella Canvas heavyweight tees, including 6 oz and 7.5 oz options, with boxy, drop-shoulder streetwear silhouettes. This is the part of the Bella Canvas line growing with the broader move toward heavier blanks.
- 4810GD Garment-Dyed Heavyweight. Washed, tonal color with structure. A go-to for boutique and streetwear drops that want a premium, worn-in look.
- Fleece: 3719 Sponge Fleece Hoodie, 4711 10 oz Heavyweight Crewneck, 4739 Full-Zip Hoodie. The heavyweight fleece program builds matching sets that feel like retail merchandise, which is where a lot of the margin lives.
- Women's and youth: B6400 Ladies' Relaxed Jersey Tee, 6413 Ladies' Triblend, 3001Y Youth Jersey Tee. The pieces that let you complete a family, school, team, or event program from one brand.
Build Your Backup Blanks Now, With Model Numbers
The simplest insulation is to stop depending on a single garment. Every bestseller should have at least one approved alternative your customers will accept, decided before a stockout, not during one. S&S is now steering customers toward its own deep bench of premium brands including Tultex, American Apparel, Next Level, Independent Trading Co., and Live & Tell, so alternatives are easy to source. Here is how the real substitutes line up by use case, with the specs that matter for DTF.
| If you sell | Bella Canvas primary | Approved backups to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Premium retail tee | 3001 (4.2 oz cotton) | Next Level 3600 (4.3 oz ring-spun cotton, fitted); AS Colour 5001 Staple (5.3 oz, 28-singles combed cotton, regular fit); District DT6000 Perfect Weight; Tultex 202 (value ring-spun) |
| Heavyweight streetwear tee | 3010 / 4610 (6 to 7.5 oz) | Shaka Wear SHMHSS Max Heavyweight (7.5 oz, 100% USA cotton, 16 singles, boxy 90s fit); Comfort Colors 1717 (6.1 oz garment-dyed ring-spun cotton); Lane Seven; Independent Trading Co. |
| Everyday / bulk program | 3001 (4.2 oz cotton) | Next Level 3600; Gildan 5000 (5.3 oz heavy cotton); Gildan 64000 Softstyle (4.5 oz ring-spun); Rustic United R3001; Tultex 202 |
A few field notes from pressing these every day. The Next Level 3600 is the closest one-to-one swap for a 3001 in look and hand, so it is the easiest substitution to sell to a customer attached to the Bella feel. The AS Colour 5001 runs heavier at 5.3 oz with a clean regular fit for a more substantial tee. On the heavyweight side, Shaka Wear Max Heavyweight is heavier and boxier than Bella's, a natural upgrade for streetwear, while Comfort Colors 1717 owns the garment-dyed lane. For budget bulk, the Gildan 5000, Gildan 64000 Softstyle, and Rustic United R3001 all hold up. For Lane Seven and Independent Trading Co., confirm current tee styles with your distributor.
Best Bella Canvas 3001 Alternatives for DTF Printing
The Bella Canvas 3001 is popular because it has a soft retail feel, modern fit, and smooth print surface. If the 3001 is unavailable in the color or size you need, the best alternative depends on the look you want.
For a similar premium retail-style tee, Next Level 3600 is often one of the easiest alternatives to recommend. It has a soft feel and works well for custom t-shirts, merch drops, business shirts, and event apparel.
For a slightly heavier premium tee, AS Colour 5001 can be a good option when available. For a garment-dyed or vintage look, Comfort Colors 1717 is a strong alternative. For heavyweight streetwear-style shirts, Shaka Wear or other heavyweight blanks may be better choices. For budget-friendly bulk custom shirts, Gildan 5000 and Gildan 64000 Softstyle are practical alternatives.
The key is not to replace every Bella Canvas order with the same blank. The right backup depends on fit, weight, fabric, price, color availability, and deadline.
A Note From Our Press Room
DTF is brand-agnostic, which is exactly why backup blanks work: switching garments usually requires only small workflow adjustments. A DTF transfer that presses clean on a 3001 can also press clean on a Next Level 3600 or a Shaka heavyweight when the correct settings are used.
Keep three things consistent across brands: medium to firm pressure, because too much can emboss a faint film outline into a lighter 4.2 oz tee; a temperature window around the low-300°F range depending on your film and garment; and confirmation of hot peel versus cold peel before you pull. Always follow your transfer supplier's settings and test when changing fabric blends, garment weight, or color.
Where This Goes Next: Our Read on the Consolidation
None of what follows is announced. These are scenarios worth planning around, based on the pattern of the last two years, not facts.
S&S answers back
With Bella Canvas now inside SanMar, expect S&S to lean harder into the brands it controls and, do not be surprised, to lock up another fashion-forward blank for the Bella slot. The two-giant race is the real story, and Bella Canvas was one round of it.
More independents get picked off
Brands still standing outside an exclusive or acquisition are now obvious targets. Any single premium brand you depend on could change hands within a year, so treat every bestseller as if it might.
Price and allocation pressure, quietly
Exclusive control rarely lowers prices. Even without an announced increase, single-channel ownership tends to firm up pricing and tighten allocation on the hottest colors during peak season. Watch your fill rates, not just your invoices.
Private label grows
As the giants trade premium names, expect both to push their own house and private-label lines harder, because a brand you own is one no competitor can take from you.
Regionals become the pressure valve
The regional distributors that still carry Bella Canvas, and local shops that stock and print in one place, are the flexible fallback when national channels get rigid. That is the lane we operate in.
One Local Source for Blanks and Printing
While the national brands sort out who sells what, we keep your side simple here in Richardson. We press thousands of garments a month across Bella Canvas, Next Level, Gildan, Comfort Colors, Shaka Wear, and AS Colour, so we have already tested how each one takes a DTF transfer. You get the garment and the printing in one place, so a distributor reshuffle is not your problem to solve.
- Blanks and printing together. Grab blank apparel curated for DTF, add your ready-to-press transfers or a custom gang sheet, and we finish the rest.
- Not boxed in. Our transfers press cleanly on Bella Canvas, Next Level, Gildan, Comfort Colors, Shaka Wear, and most cotton or cotton-poly garments.
- Fast and local. 2:00 PM CST same-day cutoff, 24/7 pickup, a free in-store heat press room, no minimums, and next-business-day UPS Ground across Texas.
- Close by. Serving Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Garland, Irving, Arlington, Fort Worth, Carrollton, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, and the wider DFW area.
The Bottom Line
Bella Canvas is not discontinued and the shirts have not changed. What changed is how you buy them: SanMar is now the exclusive national wholesale distributor, and S&S is phasing the brand out as inventory sells through. It is the clearest sign yet that blank apparel supply is consolidating around exclusive deals, and it will not be the last move.
The smart response is unchanged and simple: know your model numbers, line up backup blanks before you need them, and plan your garment and your print together with a local partner, so whatever the big brands do next, your turnaround stays fast and your sourcing stays simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Bella Canvas sell to SanMar?
Yes. SanMar completed its acquisition of Bella Canvas in June 2026. Bella Canvas continues as a brand under SanMar ownership.
Is Bella Canvas leaving S&S Activewear?
Yes, over the long term. Following SanMar's completed acquisition, SanMar is the exclusive national wholesale distributor, and S&S has told customers they will no longer be able to buy Bella Canvas through S&S once current inventory sells through.
Can I still buy Bella Canvas from S&S right now?
Possibly, while existing inventory remains available. The change is long term, not necessarily immediate for every style, size, and color.
Where can I buy Bella Canvas shirts now?
SanMar is now the exclusive national wholesale distributor for Bella Canvas. Availability may also depend on remaining distributor stock, regional sources, direct channels, and current inventory.
Where can I buy Bella Canvas shirts near me?
If you are in Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Garland, Irving, Arlington, Fort Worth, Carrollton, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, or the wider DFW area, DTF Dallas can help with blank apparel, custom shirts, and DTF transfers.
Is Bella Canvas discontinued?
No. The brand remains fully operational as an independent company under SanMar ownership. The current change is about ownership and distribution, not the garment disappearing.
Why did SanMar buy Bella Canvas?
It reads as a counter-move to S&S, which had been winning one exclusive brand deal after another. Instead of chasing a distribution contract, SanMar bought a premium brand outright. The sale also appears connected to Bella Canvas' former parent, Color Image Apparel, focusing more heavily on Alo Yoga.
Which Bella Canvas styles does this affect most?
The bestsellers many DFW shops run: the 3001 Unisex Jersey Tee, the 3001CVC heather, the 3413 Triblend, the 3010 and 4610 heavyweight tees, the 4810GD garment-dyed heavyweight, and the 3719, 4711, and 4739 fleece styles.
What are the best Bella Canvas alternatives?
For a premium retail feel: Next Level 3600, AS Colour 5001 Staple, District DT6000, and Tultex 202. For heavyweight: Shaka Wear, Comfort Colors 1717, Lane Seven, and Independent Trading Co. For everyday bulk: Gildan 5000, Gildan 64000 Softstyle, and Rustic United R3001.
Who is the national wholesaler for Bella Canvas now?
SanMar is the exclusive national wholesale distributor going forward, with a distribution center in the DFW area in Irving.
Which distributors still carry Bella Canvas besides SanMar?
Regional and local partners include Atlantic Coast Cotton, Carolina Made, McCreary's Tees, Mission Imprintables, One Stop, SLC Activewear, and Staton, plus bellacanvas.com. Other national wholesalers can sell only while their inventory lasts.
Will Bella Canvas prices go up?
No US price increase has been announced. Availability and freight planning are the more immediate concerns, so it is worth monitoring as the exclusive setup takes hold.
Does this change DTF print quality on Bella Canvas?
No. The change affects distribution, not the garment. Bella Canvas remains a strong surface for DTF transfers.
Can DTF Dallas help me choose a backup blank?
Yes. DTF Dallas can help you choose between Bella Canvas, Next Level, Gildan, Comfort Colors, Shaka Wear, AS Colour, and other DTF-friendly blanks based on your order size, budget, deadline, and preferred shirt feel.
Can I buy blank apparel and DTF transfers together in Dallas?
Yes. DTF Dallas supplies blank apparel and finished custom shirts and prints DTF transfers in house in Richardson, with a 2:00 PM CST same-day cutoff and no minimums.
Do Not Let Distributor Shuffles Slow You Down
Get your blanks and DTF transfers from one local source, with same-day production before 2:00 PM CST and no minimums. Send your art and we will handle the rest.
Order DTF transfers →Sources:
- Bella Canvas and SanMar completion announcement, June 29, 2026
- SanMar / PR Newswire acquisition completion announcement
- ASI Central and PPAI, SanMar acquisition coverage, May and June 2026
- Apparelist coverage of Bella Canvas distributor update
- Reuters, "Alo Yoga Primed for Public Offering or Sale After Owner's Sale of Wholesale T-Shirt Business," June 23, 2026
- S&S Activewear customer communication from CEO Frank Myers, June 2026
- S&S Activewear and HanesBrands exclusive distribution announcement, June 9, 2025
- Gildan and S&S Activewear exclusive distribution announcement, August 2025 (effective Dec. 28, 2025)
- Manufacturer product specs: bellacanvas.com, ascolour.com, shakawear.com
- DTF Dallas earlier report, "SanMar Buys Bella Canvas," May 2026
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