TOP DISTRIBUTORS: ANALYSIS

Making Sense of the Numbers

T
he world is in a strange place. Some would argue that we’re post-pandemic compared to early 2020, which
seems fair. Businesses and schools are open with relaxed guidelines, vaccines are accessible and COVID
briefings are nonexistent. But technically we’re not post-pandemic. Right now, there’s speculation about the
next Omicron variant — how will it appear and when? And what about Monkeypox? After increasingly loud
whispers, the Biden administration finally declared it a public health emergency on Aug. 4.

In many ways, we collectively shrug, used to the unknown. From
a business perspective, everything is in flux. Cost inflation is
hurting margins. Material shortages are a major problem. A lack
of skilled labor persists. The print and promo sector surely isn’t
exempt from these challenges. Distributors are concerned — but
they’re also vigilant and aggressive about finding ways to ensure
their customers receive an optimal experience. A few distribu-
tors like HALO Branded Solutions, Nadel and RBO, for example,
recently launched comprehensive rebrands to better articulate the
integrated solutions they offer. Proforma has invested $20 million
in technology over the last few years. Distributors with smaller
budgets are forever finding different ways to connect, whether
through technology, kitting or signage.
If Print+Promo Marketing’s 2022 Top 75 Distributors list is any
indication, their creativity paid off. According to our data, the Top
75 Distributors totaled $8.37 billion in 2021 sales — up 23% from
2020, which finished at $6.79 billion. Of the top 75 distributors
who reported annual sales this year:
• 53 had revenue increases, compared to only 31 last year.
• 21 had revenue decreases. Two of those companies still
placed in the top 10.
• One finished evenly.
Those who paid attention to Print+Promo Marketing’s first
joint list will recognize many of the names this go around, though
2022 isn’t short of surprises. Let’s start with the most obvious: the
return of HH Global, the global company that acquired Inner-
Workings in 2020. HH Global’s print and promo sales carried it to
nearly $1 billion — enough to knock HALO out of the No. 1 spot.
We should note, those are HH Global’s North America numbers
only, so it doesn’t account for its world revenue in LATAM, EIMEA
and APAC. HALO reported a 7.47% increase in sales, which was
enough to stay ahead of 4imprint (ranked No. 3) despite the
latter’s impressive 40.71% sales rebound. Proforma and American
Solutions for Business rounded out the top five, leaving no room
for BDA (Bensussen Deutsch & Associates), a company that
dropped two spots to No. 6 after a 26.48% decrease in revenue.
There were other exciting developments surrounding this year’s
list. In addition to HH Global, please welcome some new and
returning names: GO2 Partners Inc. (No. 16), Positive Promotions
Inc. (No. 20), Vanguard Direct (No. 27), The Icebox (No. 43), Swag.
com (No. 48), Phase 3 Marketing and Communications (No. 55),
Grapevine Designs LLC (No. 59), Club Colors Buyers (No. 64),
Pinnacle Promotions Inc. (No. 65), MyBrandPromo Inc. (No. 68),
RBO (No. 72) and Blue Sky Marketing (No. 75).

Who’s Missing?
To provide the most accurate data, our list includes only distributor companies that report financials directly to us. That means some
larger distributors — Staples Promotional Products, Cimpress, Cintas and Myron, for example — do not appear on our list. These
companies would likely place in the top third if included.
Other large distributors, like DiscountMugs.com, Safeguard/Deluxe Corp., Match-Up Promotions, Brown & Bigelow Inc., The Am-
persand Group, Shumsky, Winbrook, T.R. Miller Co. Inc. and Insight Branding, have reported in the past, but elected not to submit for
this year (or were unable to be reached). Consolidated Graphic Communications, a Safeguard partner, did make the list on its own.
Mergers and acquisitions also influence the list year to year. There were two notable acquisitions in May 2022 that resulted in
a company no longer appearing on the list. HALO Branded Solutions acquired Brandvia Alliance Inc., No. 35 in 2021. And with the
hope of ramping up its presence in the automotive dealer market, BAMKO acquired Guardian Products, No. 64 in 2021, following the
recent purchase of Sutter’s Mill Specialties. In July, WebbMason Marketing, which placed 18th on our 2022 list, announced a merger
with SupplyLogic, so we’ll be monitoring that for 2023.

2
 TOP DISTRIBUTORS: ANALYSIS

Fortunately, the good news doesn’t stop there. Independ-
ent product sectors were up across the board except for one
category that broke even. Not all distributors disclose this
information (e.g., HH Global and HALO), and there are some
that opted to break down revenue by segment that haven’t in
the past (e.g., BDA). This could skew findings (see Top 10 charts
starting on page 8). Promotional Hard Goods once again put
forth the strongest showing with $1.21 billion (prior year: $1.21
billion). Branded Apparel, which debuted last year, had the sec-
ond-highest showing with $724.34 million (prior year: $701.24
million). Interestingly enough, when we survey distributors, we
ask them to list the area where they anticipate the most growth
opportunities. Promotional hard goods and branded apparel
were the most frequently cited responses, followed by labels
and sustainable products.
Printed Forms inched up to $109.79 million (prior year:
$107.23 million). Labels & Tags skyrocketed to $123.07 million
(prior year: $83.11 million). Commercial Print, consisting of
marketing pieces, catalogs, brochures, presentation folders,
envelopes, stationery and business cards, landed at $228.72
million (prior year: $201.91 million). Direct Mail rose to $112.82
million (prior year: $77.35 million). Plastic Products and Cards
finished at $39.26 million (prior year: $32.34 million). Signs/
Displays/Wide-Format Printing climbed to $99.90 million (prior
year: $61.52 million). Packaging generated $90.60 million (prior
year: $67.06 million). The “Other” category reached $90.87
million (prior year: $78.83 million).
The complete list and profiles featuring leading executives
of five of our top-ranked companies starts on page 4. Our ex-
panded online version of the Top 75 also includes additional
data on top vertical markets and other statistics.
We congratulate each company that made the list and wish
everyone continued prosperity as they navigate this fluid
situation.
(Editor’s note: Factors to consider when interpreting sales figures are
ongoing industry consolidations and responses reporting idiosyn-
crasies.)

Other Stats
• The top five vertical markets for distributors on our list remained consistent with 2021’s findings. Healthcare was the most common top vertical (list-
ed 32 times). It was followed by Financial (listed 27 times), Retail (listed 20 times), Technology (listed 17 times) and Manufacturing (listed 16 times).
Thanks to widespread COVID vaccine accessibility, the hardest hit verticals like Hospitality and Education continued to recover — both collected 16
listings combined.

• Of the 80 principal officers listed for the Top 75 distributors (five companies listed more than one principal), 69 were men and 11 were women. That’s
a split of 86% versus 14%, in line with last year’s breakdown.

• In all, 28 U.S. states and one Canadian province (Ontario) were headquarters to at least one Top 75 distributor. Illinois led the way with 13 distributors
calling it home, followed by Ohio with six and Minnesota with five. Fifteen other states appeared at least twice on the list, leaving nine states with a
single top distributor each.

• All four major regions of the U.S. (Northeast, South, Midwest and West) had at least one distributor on the list.

• This year’s Top 75 distributors employed more than 20,000 people at 3,586 locations (data includes some, but not all, parent company head counts
and subsidiary or division locations). The highest employee count for any one Top 75 distributor was 4,500; the lowest was 16. Eight Top 75 distribu-
tors had 500 or more employees, while 21 companies had fewer than 100 employees.

• Six of the Top 75 distributors have been in business for more than a century, while 12 have been in business for at least 50 years. Only two have been
in business for less than a decade.

3
 TOP DISTRIBUTORS: THE LIST
2021 2020
COMPANY TOP VERTICALS PRINCIPAL(S) LOCATION
REVENUE REVENUE
Beverages, Retail,
Mike Perez, Group
1 HH Global $992,800,000 $1,025,000,000 Fast-Moving Consumer Chicago, IL
CEO
Goods
HALO Branded Retail, Financial, Tech-
2 $822,900,000 $765,700,000 Marc Simon, CEO Sterling, IL
Solutions nology
Kevin Lyons-Tarr,
3 4imprint Inc. $773,710,000 $560,040,000 – Oshkosh, WI
CEO
Greg Muzzillo,
Healthcare, Financial, Cleveland,
4 Proforma $540,795,000 $538,450,397 Founder; Vera
Automotive OH
Muzzillo, CEO
American Solutions for Retail, Medical (Den- Glenwood,
5 $387,221,105 $385,763,891 Larry Zavadil, CEO
Business tal), Manufacturing MN
BDA (Bensussen Technology, Sports, Jay Deutsch, Woodinville,
6 $351,000,000 $477,422,000
Deutsch & Associates) Fitness Co-Founder/CEO WA

IMS (Integrated Mer- Retailers, Brands (CPG Morton

7 $276,800,000 $257,000,000 Josh Tobey, CEO
chandising Solutions) & AlcBev), Financial Grove, IL

Construction, Financial, Jo-an Lantz, CEO/

8 Geiger $243,650,000 $206,020,000 Lewiston, ME
Education President

Taylor Promotional Financial, Healthcare, Michael Giachetti, Mankato,

9 $240,300,000 $215,000,000
Products Manufacturing President MN

Technology, QSR, Gig Jake Himelstein, Los Angeles,

10 BAMKO $215,800,000 $202,200,000
Economy President CA
Technology, Financial, Craig Nadel, CEO/ Los Angeles,
11 Nadel $165,540,000 $135,000,000
Healthcare President CA
Ross Silverstein, Wayland,
12 iPROMOTEu $165,015,000 $160,107,000 –
CEO/President MA
Karl Whiteside,
Health/Beauty/FMCG,
13 Brand Addition $140,923,000 $99,999,240 Group Managing St. Louis, MO
Transport, Technology
Director
Healthcare, Retail, Thomas D'Agostino
14 Smart Source LLC $135,800,000 $131,000,000 Atlanta, GA
Manufacturing Jr., CEO
Healthcare, Business Nancy Schmidt,
15 AIA Corporation $124,669,329 $143,009,715 Appleton, WI
Services, Education CEO
Distribution, Manufac- Charley Lombardo, Des Plaines,
16 GO2 Partners Inc. $122,000,000 $108,000,000
turing, Technology President IL
Government, Construc-
Michael Brugger, West Palm
17 Fully Promoted $116,700,000 $118,500,000 tion/Trades, Educa-
President Beach, FL
tion/Healthcare
Healthcare, Hospitality, Hunt Valley,
18 WebbMason Marketing $115,000,000 $124,000,000 Doug Traxler, CEO
Financial MD
Overture Promotions Delivery Services, Waukegan,
19 $113,986,930 $126,931,017 JoAnn Gilley, CEO
Inc. Healthcare, Retail IL
Positive Promotions Healthcare, Education, Hauppauge,
20 $102,000,000 $97,200,000 Nelson Taxel, CEO
Inc. Government/Military NY
CIC (Corporate Imag- SAAS, Manufacturing, Northbrook,
21 $100,000,000 $86,000,000 Bob Herzog, CEO
ing Concepts) Healthcare IL
Boundless Network Nonprofit, Automotive,
22 $96,664,746 $83,000,000 Dave Klotter, CEO Austin, TX
Inc. Healthcare
Social Media Brands,
Derek Block,
23 Touchstone $92,000,000 $72,500,000 Consumer Goods, Mason, OH
Founder/CEO
Financial

4
 TOP DISTRIBUTORS: THE LIST
2021 2020
COMPANY TOP VERTICALS PRINCIPAL(S) LOCATION
REVENUE REVENUE
Apparel Clients, Drink-
Kurt Kaeser, CEO/
24 Kaeser & Blair Inc. $87,400,000 $92,000,000 ware Clients, Writing Batavia, OH
President
Instruments Clients
Douglas Gardner,
Co-Founder/
Uniforms, Co-Branded
President; Richard
25 G&G Outfitters Inc. $80,000,000 $77,032,315 Licenses Product, Food Lanham, MD
Gergar, Co-Found-
& Beverage
er/Executive Vice
President
Tamara Borello,
ePromos Promotional Education, Healthcare, St. Cloud,
26 $72,000,000 $70,000,000 Chief Operating
Products LLC Service Sector MN
Officer

Healthcare, Education, Robert O'Connell,

27 Vanguard Direct $70,724,039 $64,700,205 New York, NY
Government President

Food & Beverage, Chris Vernon, CEO/

28 The Vernon Company $65,505,925 $59,142,227 Newton, IA
Healthcare, Education President

Automotive, Financial, Tanvir Arfi, Chair-

29 Helm $64,600,000 $63,000,000 Plymouth, MI
Retail man/President

Food & Beverage, Guillermo "Memo"

Los Angeles,
30 PromoShop Inc. $54,855,000 $39,600,000 Technology, Pharma- Kahan, CEO/
CA
ceutical President

Zorch International
31 $52,500,000 $39,300,000 – Mike Wolfe, CEO Chicago, IL
Inc.

Artcraft Promotional Healthcare, Technology, Judy Zimmermann, Moorestown,

32 $52,000,000 $46,000,000
Concepts Finance CEO/President NJ

Technology, Financial,
33 Kotis Design LLC $49,200,000 $36,000,000 Jeff Becker, CEO Seattle, WA
Healthcare

Food & Beverage,

Bannock-
34 npn360 $48,836,000 $44,500,000 Medical, Manufac- Artie Collins, CEO
burn, IL
turing
National Accounts,
Stephanie Leader, Columbus,
35 Leaderpromos $48,750,000 $52,500,000 Emerging Accounts,
Founder/CEO OH
Strategic Accounts

Stran Promotional Retail, Financial, Andy Shape, CEO/

36 $47,300,000 $48,566,031 Quincy, MA
Solutions Healthcare President

Print, Promotional Eric Beguelin,

37 Regency360 $46,900,000 $46,900,000 Raleigh, NC
Items, Apparel President

Financial, Business/ Glenwood,

38 American Diversity $46,305,000 $41,708,100 Diane Zavadil, CEO
Retail, Healthcare MN

Consumer/Retail,
Shamrock Companies Bob Troop, Westlake,
39(T) $46,000,000 $57,000,000 Banking/Financial,
Inc. Chairman/CEO OH
Professional

Technology, Financial, Michael J. Harper, Silver Spring,

39(T) Summit Group $46,000,000 $47,300,000
Travel CEO MD

5
 TOP DISTRIBUTORS: THE LIST
2021 2020
COMPANY TOP VERTICALS PRINCIPAL(S) LOCATION
REVENUE REVENUE
Mark Freed, Toronto,
Grocery, Government,
41 Genumark $42,400,000 $43,000,000 Executive Chair- Ontario,
Technology
man Canada

QRG Insurance, Retail, Todd Pottebaum, Plymouth,

42 $39,537,215 $36,082,755
(Quality Resource Group) Manufacturing President MN

Restaurants, Transpor- Jordy Gamson,

43 The Icebox $38,000,000 $30,000,000 Atlanta, GA
tation CEO

Retail, Technology, Bret Bonnet,

44 Quality Logo Products $37,965,550 $33,316,107 Aurora, IL
Healthcare President

Concord Marketing Financial, Insurance, Glendale

45 $36,983,000 $25,838,000 Kirk Graves, CEO
Solutions Inc. Professional Services Heights, IL

Oliver Landry,
46 Something Inked $36,000,000 $26,500,000 Music, Sports, Retail Nashville, TN
President

Corporate, Nonprofit, Cynthia A. Brown, Greenbelt,

47 APISource Inc. $34,000,000 $32,000,000
Professional Sports CEO/President MD

Las Vegas,
48(T) Eagle Promotions $33,000,000 $37,400,000 Retail, Casino Sean Ono, CEO
NV

Jeremy Parker,
48(T) Swag.com $33,000,000 $15,500,000 – New York, NY
Co-Founder/CEO

Inkwell Global Mar- Technology, Health- Steven Marder, Manalapan,

50 $31,500,000 $31,000,000
keting care, Financial CEO/President NJ

Healthcare, Manufac-
51 The Image Group $31,282,187 $50,309,000 Jon Levine, CEO Holland, OH
turing, Education

Mercury Promotions & Sterling

52 $31,000,000 $30,000,000 Oil, Energy, Food Jon Sloan, CEO
Fulfillment Heights , MI

Thomas Goos,
Technology, Retail,
53 Image Source $29,744,158 $20,000,000 President; Brian Kirkland, WA
Collegiate
Haner, CEO

Construction, Health- Howard Schwartz, Pittsburgh,

54 HDS Marketing Inc. $29,000,000 $33,500,000
care, Industrial Founder/CEO PA

Phase 3 Marketing and B2B Services, National Ken Holsclaw,

55 $28,948,961 $27,764,000 Atlanta, GA
Communications Retailers, Real Estate President

Manufacturing, Finan- Robert Chanson,

56 Meridian $28,000,000 $26,000,000 Loves Park, IL
cial, Healthcare President

Government/Non-
Brian Burlace, Glen Burnie,
57 Tray Inc. $26,953,000 $86,800,000 profits, Retail, Hotels/
President MD
Hospitality

Healthcare, Hospitality, Andrew Straus,

58 Goldner Associates Inc. $26,000,000 $18,300,000 Nashville, TN
Service President

6
 TOP DISTRIBUTORS: THE LIST
2021 2020
COMPANY TOP VERTICALS PRINCIPAL(S) LOCATION
REVENUE REVENUE
Manufacturing,
Jane Gaunce,
59 Grapevine Designs LLC $25,500,000 $21,200,000 Financial, Professional Lenexa, KS
CEO/President
Services

Telecom, Healthcare, James Greaves, Spanish Fork,

60 Brand Makers $25,348,213 $20,393,177
Financial CEO UT

Manufacturing, Gerry Barker,

61 Barker Specialty $25,327,920 $24,462,075 Cheshire, CT
Healthcare, Financial President

Hospitality, Manufac- Virginia

62 MSP Design Group $25,305,450 $19,749,331 Dan Clarkson, CEO
turing, Financial Beach, VA

Consumer Packaged
Orangeburg,
63 Zagwear $24,500,000 $26,000,000 Goods, Liquor/Spirits, Toby Zacks, CEO
NY
Hospitality
Universities/Colleges, Jeff Baumet,
Schaum-
64 Club Colors Buyers LLC $24,000,000 $19,600,000 Construction, Co-CEO; Cris Tase,
burg, IL
Technology Co-CEO

Pinnacle Promotions Manufacturing, Retail, David Weintraub, Berkeley

65 $21,400,000 $28,800,000
Inc. Education CEO Lake, GA

CGC (Consolidated Manufacturing/

Jim Rhodes, CEO/ Bridgeville,
66 Graphic Communica- $20,955,026 $19,662,217 Distribution, Retail,
President PA
tions) Healthcare

Retail, Manufacturing, Brad Friedman, Birmingham,

67 City Paper Company $20,747,094 $25,051,241
Financial CEO/President AL

Beverage, Entertain- Joseph McEuen

68 MyBrandPromo Inc. $20,700,000 $18,300,000 St. Louis, MO
ment, Construction Jr., CEO/President

Manufacturing, Bryan Miller, Davenport,

69 DFI – Solutions in Print $20,150,000 $18,250,000
Healthcare, Financial President IA

Corporate, Fulfillment
David Anderson, Charlotte,
70 Brand RPM $19,607,669 $18,915,054 Programs, School/
CEO NC
Athletics

Elevate Brand Healthcare, PPG, Oil/

71 $18,740,000 $17,000,000 Jeff Sampson, CEO Dallas, TX
Marketing Gas

Healthcare, Financial, Cathy Armstrong, Maryland

72 RBO $17,444,480 $23,843,634
Rental/Construction CEO Heights, MO

Hygrade Business Healthcare, Financial, Secaucus,

73 $16,900,000 $16,035,000 Victor Albetta, CEO
Group General Business NJ

Danny Rosin,
Healthcare, Technolo- Co-President;
74 Brand Fuel $16,488,635 $13,910,030 Raleigh, NC
gy, Insurance/Banking Robert Fiveash,
Co-President

Technology, Cannabis, Corey Zirlin, Northbrook,

75 Blue Sky Marketing $16,000,000 $21,016,459
Financial President IL

Editor’s note: All sales information provided directly by distributors and may represent estimates on their part.

7
 TOP 10 FORMS DISTRIBUTORS
COMPANY FORMS REVENUE TOTAL REVENUE LOCATION

American Solutions for

1 $43,446,208 $387,221,105 Glenwood, MN
Business

2 WebbMason Marketing $11,500,000 $115,000,000 Hunt Valley, MD

3 Smart Source LLC $8,148,000 $135,800,000 Atlanta, GA

4 American Business Forms $7,200,000 $12,000,000 Baltimore, MD

BDA (Bensussen Deutsch &

5 $7,020,000 $351,000,000 Woodinville, WA
Associates)

6 CTP Solutions $4,818,600 $10,708,000 Agoura Hills, CA

7 Voluforms $3,976,877 $8,285,161 Jeffersonville, IN

8 Vanguard Direct $3,536,202 $70,724,039 New York, NY

9 npn360 $2,441,800 $48,836,000 Bannockburn, IL

10 American Diversity $2,315,250 $46,305,000 Glenwood, MN

TOP 10 LABELS & TAGS DISTRIBUTORS

COMPANY LABELS & TAGS REVENUE TOTAL REVENUE LOCATION

American Solutions for

1 $35,585,620 $387,221,105 Glenwood, MN
Business

BDA (Bensussen Deutsch &

2 $24,570,000 $351,000,000 Woodinville, WA
Associates)

3 Smart Source LLC $10,864,000 $135,800,000 Atlanta, GA

4 DFI – Solutions in Print $10,679,500 $20,150,000 Davenport, IA

5 npn360 $8,302,120 $48,836,000 Bannockburn, IL

6 QRG (Quality Resource Group) $6,721,327 $39,537,215 Plymouth, MN

7 American Diversity $4,630,500 $46,305,000 Glenwood, MN

International Printing
8 $2,240,000 $6,400,000 Vista, CA
Solutions

9 Vanguard Direct $2,121,721 $70,724,039 New York, NY

10 Metcom Inc. $1,733,301 $4,333,252 St. Clair Shores, MI

8
 TOP 10 PROMOTIONAL HARD GOODS
DISTRIBUTORS
PROMOTIONAL HARD
COMPANY TOTAL REVENUE LOCATION
GOODS REVENUE
BDA (Bensussen Deutsch
1 $270,270,000 $351,000,000 Woodinville, WA
& Associates)

American Solutions
2 $118,567,102 $387,221,105 Glenwood, MN
for Business

3 Positive Promotions Inc. $81,600,000 $102,000,000 Hauppauge, NY

4 Kaeser & Blair Inc. $61,180,000 $87,400,000 Batavia, OH

5 AIA Corporation $56,101,198 $124,669,329 Appleton, WI

6 Fully Promoted $45,513,000 $116,700,000 West Palm Beach, FL

CIC (Corporate Imaging

7 $40,000,000 $100,000,000 Northbrook, IL
Concepts)

8 Touchstone $36,800,000 $92,000,000 Mason, OH

9 Quality Logo Products $36,067,273 $37,965,550 Aurora, IL

10 The Vernon Company $36,028,259 $65,505,925 Newton, IA

TOP 10 BRANDED APPAREL DISTRIBUTORS

BRANDED APPAREL
COMPANY TOTAL REVENUE LOCATION
REVENUE

1 Fully Promoted $67,686,000 $116,700,000 West Palm Beach, FL

American Solutions for

2 $50,842,131 $387,221,105 Glenwood, MN
Business

CIC (Corporate Imaging

3 $50,000,000 $100,000,000 Northbrook, IL
Concepts)

4 AIA Corporation $48,621,038 $124,669,329 Appleton, WI

5 Touchstone $46,000,000 $92,000,000 Mason, OH

6 WebbMason Marketing $28,750,000 $115,000,000 Hunt Valley, MD

7 Kaeser & Blair Inc. $26,220,000 $87,400,000 Batavia, OH

8 The Icebox $24,700,000 $38,000,000 Atlanta, GA

BDA (Bensussen Deutsch

9 $24,570,000 $351,000,000 Woodinville, WA
& Associates)

10 The Vernon Company $22,927,074 $65,505,925 Newton, IA

9
 TOP 10 COMMERCIAL PRINT DISTRIBUTORS
COMMERCIAL
COMPANY TOTAL REVENUE LOCATION
PRINT REVENUE
American Solutions for
1 $60,406,492 $387,221,105 Glenwood, MN
Business

2 Smart Source LLC $31,234,000 $135,800,000 Atlanta, GA

3 Vanguard Direct $17,681,010 $70,724,039 New York, NY

4 npn360 $14,406,620 $48,836,000 Bannockburn, IL

5 American Diversity $14,354,550 $46,305,000 Glenwood, MN

6 WebbMason Marketing $11,500,000 $115,000,000 Hunt Valley, MD

7 Tray Inc $11,320,260 $26,953,000 Glen Burnie, MD

Maryland Heights,
8 RBO $8,722,240 $17,444,480
MO

9 QRG (Quality Resource Group) $5,930,582 $39,537,215 Plymouth, MN

CGC (Consolidated Graphic

10 $5,448,307 $20,955,026 Bridgeville, PA
Communications)

TOP 10 DIRECT MAIL DISTRIBUTORS

COMPANY DIRECT MAIL REVENUE TOTAL REVENUE LOCATION

American Solutions for

1 $27,415,254 $387,221,105 Glenwood, MN
Business

2 Smart Source LLC $23,086,000 $135,800,000 Atlanta, GA

3 Vanguard Direct $17,681,010 $70,724,039 New York, NY

4 WebbMason Marketing $11,500,000 $115,000,000 Hunt Valley, MD

5 npn360 $4,883,600 $48,836,000 Bannockburn, IL

6 Tray Inc $4,312,480 $26,953,000 Glen Burnie, MD

7 American Diversity $3,704,400 $46,305,000 Glenwood, MN

BDA (Bensussen Deutsch &

8 $3,510,000 $351,000,000 Woodinville, WA
Associates)

Artcraft Promotional
9 $2,600,000 $52,000,000 Moorestown, NJ
Concepts

10 SOLV $1,920,762 $6,859,865 Meridian, ID

10
 TOP 10 PACKAGING DISTRIBUTORS
COMPANY PACKAGING REVENUE TOTAL REVENUE LOCATION

American Solutions for

1 $20,058,053 $387,221,105 Glenwood, MN
Business

2 City Paper Company $9,336,192 $20,747,094 Birmingham, AL

3 npn360 $8,790,480 $48,836,000 Bannockburn, IL

BDA (Bensussen Deutsch &

4 $7,020,000 $351,000,000 Woodinville, WA
Associates)

5 WebbMason Marketing $5,750,000 $115,000,000 Hunt Valley, MD

6 Smart Source LLC $5,432,000 $135,800,000 Atlanta, GA

7 American Diversity $4,630,500 $46,305,000 Glenwood, MN

CIC (Corporate Imaging

8 $4,000,000 $100,000,000 Northbrook, IL
Concepts)

9 PromoShop Inc. $2,742,750 $54,855,000 Los Angeles, CA

CGC (Consolidated Graphic

10 $2,724,153 $20,955,026 Bridgeville, PA
Communications)

TOP 10 SIGNS, DISPLAYS,

WIDE FORMAT DISTRIBUTORS
COMPANY SDWF REVENUE TOTAL REVENUE LOCATION

American Solutions for

1 $20,832,495 $387,221,105 Glenwood, MN
Business

Phase 3 Marketing and

2 $11,869,074 $28,948,961 Atlanta, GA
Communications

3 Positive Promotions Inc. $8,160,000 $102,000,000 Hauppauge, NY

4 Vanguard Direct $7,072,404 $70,724,039 New York, NY

BDA (Bensussen Deutsch &

5 $7,020,000 $351,000,000 Woodinville, WA
Associates)

6 Smart Source LLC $6,790,000 $135,800,000 Atlanta, GA

7 The Vernon Company $5,895,533 $65,505,925 Newton, IA

8 WebbMason Marketing $5,750,000 $115,000,000 Hunt Valley, MD

Artcraft Promotional
9 $2,600,000 $52,000,000 Moorestown, NJ
Concepts

10 Club Colors Buyers LLC $2,400,000 $24,000,000 Schaumburg, IL

11
 TOP DISTRIBUTORS: FASTEST GROWING
1. Booshie Inc.
Blaine, MN
2021 Sales: $1,550,000
2020 Sales: $30,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 5066.67%
2. Swag.com
New York, NY
2021 Sales: $33,000,000
2020 Sales: $15,500,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 112.90%
3. One World Promo
Aliso Viejo, CA
2021 Sales: $3,047,459
2020 Sales: $1,473,347
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 106.84%
4. Reno Type
Reno, NV
2021 Sales: $2,090,169
2020 Sales: $1,093,360
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 91.17%
5. Classic Print Company
Knoxville, TN
2021 Sales: $2,850,000
2020 Sales: $1,650,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 72.73%
6. Imprint Engine
Brooklyn Center, MN
2021 Sales: $12,000,000
2020 Sales: $7,000,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 71.43%
7. Probitas Promotions
Grand Forks, ND
2021 Sales: $6,135,173
2020 Sales: $3,639,918
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 68.55%
8. Foundry Brand Services Group
Long Beach, CA
2021 Sales: $5,372,146
2020 Sales: $3,207,140
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 67.51%
9. Spirit Wear
Elk Grove, CA
2021 Sales: $1,650,000
2020 Sales: $1,005,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 64.18%
12
10. Liquid Screen Design (Tie)
Minneapolis, MN
2021 Sales: $4,000,000
2020 Sales: $2,500,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 60.00%
10. Pinnacle Branding (Tie)
Wilmington, NC
2021 Sales: $4,000,000
2020 Sales: $2,500,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 60.00%
12. Image Source
Kirkland, WA
2021 Sales: $29,744,158
2020 Sales: $19,037,138
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 56.24%
13. Goldner Associates Inc.
Nashville, TN
2021 Sales: $26,000,000
2020 Sales: $17,000,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 52.94%
14. QBF Graphics Group
Tinley Park, IL
2021 Sales: $1,278,000
2020 Sales: $870,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 46.90%
15. Concord Marketing Solutions Inc.
Glendale Heights, IL
2021 Sales: $36,983,000
2020 Sales: $25,838,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 43.13%
16. Nadel
Los Angeles, CA
2021 Sales: $165,540,000
2020 Sales: $116,000,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 42.71%
17. Brand Addition
St. Louis, MO
2021 Sales: $140,923,000
2020 Sales: $99,999,240
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 40.92%
18. 4imprint Inc.
Oshkosh, WI
2021 Sales: $773,710,000
2020 Sales: $549,873,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 40.71%
19. Kotis Design LLC
Seattle, WA
2021 Sales: $49,200,000
2020 Sales: $35,500,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 38.59%
20. Genumark
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2021 Sales: $42,400,000
2020 Sales: $30,600,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 38.56%
21. Something Inked
Nashville, TN
2021 Sales: $36,000,000
2020 Sales: $26,500,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 35.85%
22. Black Rock Branding
Lexington, SC
2021 Sales: $2,233,000
2020 Sales: $1,662,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 34.36%
23. Zorch International Inc.
Chicago, IL
2021 Sales: $52,500,000
2020 Sales: $39,300,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 33.59%
24. Identify Yourself
Kitty Hawk, NC
2021 Sales: $2,396,530
2020 Sales: $1,815,581
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 32.00%
25. DFI – Solutions in Print
Davenport, IA
2021 Sales: $20,150,000
2020 Sales: $15,578,000
% Year-Over-Year Growth: 29.35%
*To qualify for Print+Promo Marketing’s
Top Distributors: Fastest Growing list,
distributors had to generate at least $1
million in 2021 revenue.
 TOP DISTRIBUTORS: PROFILES
#2 HALO Branded Solutions

Sterling, Illinois
1,940 employees, 45 locations
2021 sales: $822.9 million
Prior year sales: $765.7 million
Change: ↑7.47%
Top sales verticals: retail, financial, technology
Fastest-growth area: apparel

Future Plans
“We are keenly focused on supporting the sales process —
from prospecting to order management — with technology-
enabled innovation,” says Simon. “We are very optimistic on
the impact the cultural changes we have made related to
continuous improvement will make for our business going
forward.”

What They’re Watching

“Our industry’s goal is to help clients build their brands.
But during inflationary periods, pricing pressure creates
challenges for clients seeking to distinguish their brand in the
marketplace. Value-added services such as creative, digital,
marketing activation and innovative merchandise programs
Marc Simon, CEO will be required, as clients look to amplify their brand
message through the most efficient and effective channels.”
HALO Branded Solutions had another monster year,
finishing 2021 with $822.9 million in sales, up from $765.7
million in 2020. That was enough to make HALO the top-
ranked promo distributor for the second year in a row,
edging out a resurgent 4imprint for the honors. While HALO
missed out on the top overall spot in our rankings due to the
return of HH Global (formerly InnerWorkings), whose print
sales carried it to nearly $1 billion in 2021 revenue, it was still “Value-added services such as
a stellar follow-up campaign to HALO’s tremendous 2020.
creative, digital, marketing activation
“HALO has achieved significant growth over the last
several years, and the scope of our capabilities has
and innovative merchandise
increased dramatically,” says Marc Simon, CEO of HALO. programs will [now] be required, as
“We launched a comprehensive rebrand in 2021 to better clients look to amplify their brand
articulate the integrated solutions we now offer, including message through the most efficient
branded merchandise, corporate uniforms and recognition and effective channels.”
and incentive programs. And we unified our sales teams,
employees and business units into a single, energizing
vision: that we connect people and brands to create
powerful, lasting experiences.”

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 TOP DISTRIBUTORS: PROFILES

Cleveland, Ohio
#4 Proforma 164 employees, 600 franchises
2021 sales: $540.8 million
Prior year sales: $538.5 million
Change: ↑0.44%
Top sales verticals: healthcare, financial, automotive
Fastest-growth area: hard goods

team in the business across all departments,” says Vera

Muzzillo, CEO of Proforma. “Our technology team continues
to develop industry-leading, cutting-edge technology that
sets us apart from the competition. Our sales and marketing
teams continue to expand and reach new heights in moving
the Proforma vision forward, which empowers our owners’
success.”

What They Learned

“In 2021, we were forced to adapt to a changing world and
embrace the hybrid working model,” says Muzzillo. “In doing
this, we found that our employees’ productivity did not waver,
and our flexibility allowed them to thrive in what may have
been a difficult year for many of them. The hybrid model can
and does work, and our continued success in light of this
abrupt switch is proof of that. We also learned, more than
ever, how important having a strong online presence is and
the potential that a robust e-commerce solution holds.”

Vera Muzzillo, CEO, and Greg Muzzillo, Founder

Proforma has invested $20 million in technology over the

last few years, and that investment is already paying off. “Value-added services such as
The company once again finished 2021 in the top five of our
creative, digital, marketing activation
list, with technology playing an integral role in its sustained
success. Proforma launched its 6,000th e-commerce store
and innovative merchandise
this summer, and has grown its e-commerce footprint by programs will [now] be required, as
300% since the start of 2022. It also launched an automated clients look to amplify their brand
sales insights tool within ProVision, its proprietary business message through the most efficient
management system, as well as an e-commerce certification and effective channels.”
program. Add that to investments in its sales and marketing
teams, and Proforma looks poised for continued growth.
“I truly believe we have the most talented and dedicated

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 TOP DISTRIBUTORS: PROFILES
Atlanta, Georgia
#14 Smart Source LLC 280 employees, 40 locations
2021 sales: $135.8 million
Smart Source LLC has
Prior year sales: $131 million
completed four acquisitions
Change: ↑3.66%
since January 2021. That’s
Top sales verticals: healthcare, retail, manufacturing
played a major role in the Fastest-growth area: promotional products, branded apparel
company’s continued growth,
helping Smart Source to $135.8
million in total sales last year Proactive Approach
and another ranking inside our “The days of waiting for reorders to magically appear, sending a
top 15. Thomas D’Agostino Jr., PO to the previous supplier and sitting back to wait for billing to
CEO of Smart Source, says that turn into commission are long gone,” says D’Agostino. “Today’s
Thomas D’Agostino Jr., CEO the company’s broad sourcing environment requires reps to be highly proactive in sourcing,
network was also critical, product research and staying abreast of industry trends for
allowing for greater pricing stability and product availability as those market segments served by our customers.”
supply chains buckled.
That shows up in Smart Source’s 2021 results. The Market Optimism
company started primarily as a print distributor, expanding “We feel strongly that a market rebound is on the horizon
its product offering over the years to include categories that will be characterized by improved supply chain issues,
like packaging and promo. But lately, its promo sales have increased inventories and relieved staffing shortages. Our main
surged. In 2021, promotional products and apparel accounted goal is to be in position with our customers to capitalize on the
for a full 34% of the company’s revenue. If Smart Source can opportunity for substantial growth created by this easing. ... [The]
continue that growth while expanding through additional markets seemed to have bottomed and are in the process of an
strategic acquisitions, there’s no telling how much higher it initial rebound, slowly as it may be. This reaffirms the outlook for
can climb. a better selling atmosphere between now and mid-2023.”

Chicago, Illinois
#31 Zorch International Inc. 74 employees, one location
2021 sales: $52.5 million
Prior year sales: $39.3 million
Zorch International Inc.
Change: ↑33.59%
rebounded from a tough 2020
Top sales verticals: not disclosed
in a big way, growing sales by
Fastest-growth area: corporate merchandise distribution
33.6% to reach $52.5 million
in 2021. Mike Wolfe, CEO of
Zorch, said the company used These efficiencies result in significant cost savings and an
the pandemic year to position overall better user experience for our clients.”
itself for rapid growth, invest-
ing in multiple areas. That, On Supply Chain
in turn, allowed Zorch to add “Supply chain interruptions are becoming more common, and
Mike Wolfe, CEO
new clients and programs at distributors need to be nimble with their service offerings to
a “record rate,” Wolfe says, putting the company on track for avoid customer issues,” says Wolfe. “Fortunately, we designed
40% to 50% growth in 2022. Also key to that outlook is a our model to incorporate supplier redundancies that enable
distribution model the company says “redefines how brand- us to quickly make changes.”
ed merchandise is supplied to large corporations.”
“In simple terms, we leverage technology and operational … and Inflation
efficiency to streamline the order-to-shipment process,” “The current inflationary environment is unlike anything we’ve
Wolfe says. “A large portion of this involves delayering or seen in a while. Additionally, it’s not impacting all items in our
eliminating the multiple redundant touch-points that are industry consistently. Therefore, managing the increases in a way
inherent in the legacy promotional products industry. ... that maximizes our clients’ budgets is a key area of focus for us.”

15
 TOP DISTRIBUTORS: PROFILES
Moorestown, New Jersey
#32 Artcraft Promotional Concepts 95 employees, two locations
2021 sales: $52 million
Artcraft Promotional Concepts Prior year sales: $43 million
is crushing it. Despite a difficult Change: ↑20.93%
labor market, the company has Top sales verticals: healthcare, technology, finance
managed to keep most of its Fastest-growth area: kitting and fulfillment
top employees while adding
new talent. It also brought on company in a strong position to meet the evolving needs of
several major new clients, with modern buyers. “We’ve further integrated our print-on-demand
at least four more large national offerings in our e-commerce platform,” she says. “Several of our
client programs to come for client stores now allow users to purchase logo merchandise,
Judy Zimmermann, the remainder of 2022. That’s apparel, marketing collateral and customized print material (like
CEO and president
on top of a banner 2021 in business cards and leave-behind notes) in one shopping cart.
which Artcraft’s expertise in large-scale kitting and fulfillment Clients are busy and want a simplified source. Artcraft is the
programs translated to big revenue from drop-shipped one-stop shop they need.”
residential delivery programs during the remote-work peak.
But Artcraft, whose 2021 sales grew nearly 21% to $52 Seizing Opportunity
million, is only just getting started. The company is making “As we move past the pandemic, we’re noticing much more
significant investments in technology designed to better client spend in ‘community event’ types of projects and items,”
leverage its already-diverse product offering and improve the says Zimmermann. “‘Travel and meeting’ items will return next
buying experience for its customers. Judy Zimmermann, CEO as Zoom fatigue grows and people recognize the value of
and president of Artcraft, believes these investments put the getting decision-makers together in the same location.”

Seattle, Washington
#33 Kotis Design LLC 202 employees, two locations
2021 sales: $49.2 million
When the pandemic hit, Kotis Prior year sales: $35.5 million
Design didn’t go all-in on PPE Change: ↑38.59%
like other distributors did. While Top sales verticals: technology, finance, health
it sold some, the company Fastest-growth area: swag platform
mainly spent 2020 preparing
for its future, staying true to its
pre-pandemic business plan transition was easy,” Becker says. “The fact that sales dropped
and reevaluating its customer by 50% was tough, but we got through it because our team
relationships, in some cases rallied — our office staff, but also those who kept coming in
letting go of clients it no longer through the entire pandemic. Because so many companies
Jeff Becker, CEO saw as a good fit. The immediate have transitioned to remote and employees now live every-
result of that strategy was a where, and our focus pre-pandemic was around kitting and
significant drop in sales for 2020. But, since then, Kotis has fulfillment, we’ve really been able to capture a lot of business
been surging. and help our clients achieve their goals using swag.”
The company reached $49.2 million in sales for 2021, a 38.6%
increase over its pandemic low and one of the largest jumps What They’re Watching
of any distributor on our list. Jeff Becker, CEO of Kotis, credits “Everything is in flux, from domestic supplier inventory to
that jump to his team, and to a progressive approach that Chinese factories, from customer needs to employee hiring,”
had already seen the company implementing many business says Becker. “It’s never been more important to understand
strategies other companies wouldn’t consider until after the your numbers, to look at KPIs and to know the health of your
pandemic hit. clients. Things are changing at a faster pace than ever, some
“We were lucky in the sense that our team, outside of our things seemingly every day. There’s no longer time to just sit
warehouse staff, was almost already exclusively remote, so that and be OK with the status quo.”

16
WHO Print+Promo Marketing, a premium publication from

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