Industry Trends

My EcoEnclose Review After a $3,200 Packaging Disaster (And Why I Still Use Them)

Look, I'm not here to tell you EcoEnclose is perfect. In fact, my first order with them was a $3,200 mistake. A full pallet of custom-printed mailers, each one with the wrong logo. Actually, it wasn't wrong — it was shifted 3mm to the left. On a dark background, it looked fine. On their light beige mailer, it looked like we'd hired a toddler with a stamp.

That was in March 2023. I'd been handling packaging orders for about four years at that point, and I thought I knew the drill. Get the proofs, approve them, place the order. What could go wrong?

The result: 2,500 mailers, straight to recycling. $3,200 down the drain.

So when I say I use EcoEnclose for most of our orders now, take it with a grain of salt. Here's what I've learned the hard way.

The Quick Take: Who EcoEnclose Is For

If you're an e-commerce brand looking for genuinely sustainable packaging — not just greenwashed stuff — EcoEnclose is worth your time. Their core proposition is simple: everything they sell is made from recycled or renewable materials, and they're transparent about what's recyclable, compostable, or just low-waste.

But here's the thing: not every business needs their full range. More on that later.

The Good Stuff: What Works

Free Shipping (Sort Of)

Their free shipping policy is one of the first things you'll see on their site, and it's legit — for orders over $89 within the contiguous US. That threshold is pretty low compared to other packaging suppliers I've used. For reference, a case of 500 poly mailers runs about $60-80, so you're not having to stock up months in advance just to hit free delivery.

Should mention: free shipping applies to standard ground. If you need it faster, you're paying the rush premium. I made that mistake once. (The most frustrating part of vendor management: the same issues recurring despite clear communication. You'd think written specs would prevent misunderstandings, but interpretation varies wildly.)

Product Range That Actually Makes Sense

They offer:

• 100% recycled poly mailers (the standard, and good for most general shipping)
• Compostable mailers (if you're in composting-friendly regions)
• Paper mailers (including the padded ones with recycled newsprint)
• Custom-printed options on most lines

I've settled on their 100% recycled poly mailers for our standard shipments. The compostable ones are more expensive and, honestly, a lot of our customers don't have access to industrial composting. So we reserve those for our higher-end product lines where the packaging feels part of the experience.

The $3,200 Lesson: Where EcoEnclose's Process Falls Short

So, back to that 3mm shift. Here's what happened.

I submitted the artwork, got a PDF proof, looked at it on my screen. It seemed fine. I approved it. What I didn't account for: the proof was generated from my file, but when they actually printed it at production scale, the registration was slightly off. On a white mailer? You'd never notice. On the beige one we chose? It looked like misalignment.

The problem wasn't their printing — it was their proofing process. They don't offer physical proofs unless you specifically request them and pay extra. I didn't know that. I assumed the PDF proof was production-accurate.

The worst part? I didn't catch it until 2,500 mailers arrived at our warehouse. I checked the first one, thought it looked okay, signed for the pallet. It wasn't until I saw one next to a previous batch that I spotted the difference.

If I could redo that decision, I'd have paid for a physical proof copy. At the time, saving $35 seemed smart. It wasn't.

The Hidden Cost of 'Eco-Friendly'

Here's something I didn't realize until I'd been using EcoEnclose for about 18 months: their recycled mailers are slightly more brittle than virgin plastic ones. They tear more easily if overstuffed. We had a 2% failure rate on shipments — packages arriving with small tears — compared to about 0.5% with our previous (non-eco) supplier.

Is that a dealbreaker? For some products, yes. For our t-shirts and books? Not really. But for items with sharp corners or heavy loads, I now recommend double-bagging or using a box. Does that defeat the purpose? Kind of. But it beats having a product arrive damaged.

Take this with a grain of salt: that's my experience with their 100% recycled mailers. Their compostable line might behave differently. I've only tested it for a few months.

EcoEnclose vs. The Alternatives: A Quick Honest Comparison

In my opinion, EcoEnclose wins in three areas:

1. Transparency. They publish details about their materials, sourcing, and certifications. You're not guessing if something is actually recycled.
2. Ease of ordering. Their online ordering system is straightforward. No minimums on most items.
3. Consistency. Once you get the specs dialed in, orders repeat well. (We've had zero issues since that first disaster.)

Where they lose: if you need highly custom packaging with complex print work, they might not be the best fit. Their printing is good but not exceptional. For something like a multi-color brand logo on a mailer, they're fine. For a full-bleed photographic design? Consider a dedicated print packaging vendor.

The question isn't whether EcoEnclose is the best sustainable packaging supplier. It's whether they're the best fit for your needs.

Final Verdict: Would I Recommend EcoEnclose?

Yes — with caveats.

I recommend EcoEnclose for:

• Standard e-commerce shipping (t-shirts, books, small goods)
• Brands building a sustainability story and needing verifiable eco-credentials
• Businesses ordering 500-10,000 mailers per year (that's where the pricing becomes competitive)
• Companies okay with functional packaging that might not be Instagram-worthy

I don't recommend them for:

• Premium/luxury brands needing immaculate print quality
• Highly customized shapes or finishes (they're a packaging supplier, not a print house)
• Products that need maximum tear resistance (use boxes or more durable mailers)
• Businesses that don't want to think about proofing or specification — you do need to be deliberate with their process

After 5 years of managing procurement for our e-commerce brand, I've come to believe that the 'best' vendor is highly context-dependent. EcoEnclose is our go-to for 80% of our orders. For the other 20%? We use a mix of local suppliers and specialty vendors. That's not a knock on EcoEnclose. It's just being honest about what works.

That $3,200 mistake taught me something more valuable than any savings: understand your supplier's process before you assume it matches yours. And for heaven's sake, order a physical proof.