In 2001, it became part of D. C. Thomson & Co. Parragon began its early years by developing business through overstocks and reprinting dormant titles from key publishers archives such as Penguin Books and HarperCollins.
In the late 1990s, Parragon's publishing business increased, and the company opened new offices in New York and Cologne before DC Thomson took a controlling stake in 2001.
Their acquisition of Funtastic gave them significant distribution into the Australian market before further sales offices were opened in India and China, bringing the Parragon brand global.
In February 2013, the Giftware Association 'Highly Commended' the Life Canvas 'Story of Me and My...' range of keepsake journals in the finals of the 2013 Gift of the Year Awards.
In 2013, Parragon announced a licensing partnership with Mattel for publishing rights to their Monster High brand in the UK, North America and Germany.