So I recently made an order for 5 items from the glowforge store. I received my order in the mail yesterday to find a HUGE box filled with plastic bubble wrap with my 5 items in it. The biggest item I ordered was a 36x8 piece of walnut hardwood. The shipping box was 6ft long by 3 ft high. I was shocked by the size of the box compared to the items inside. The items could’ve been shipped in a smaller box to not create so much waste. Although I know the items they use are recyclable I would just expect a smaller box. Hopefully, this reaches someone who can handle the shipping situation with glowforge. I may not order a lot of supplies from glowforge but when I have in the past it wasn’t this big of a box for so little supplies. As for now, I don’t think I will be making any future purchases for a while. I have attached some pictures to show the size of the shipping box as well as my purchase receipt that came in the box.
Sadly the only forum that 
staff review is Problems and Support so they won’t see this, so I might suggest you either create a new post in P&S and link to this one, or just post this in its entirety in P&S.
I think it’s likely that they’re using standard sized boxes and the 36" forced them to the largest box. On the other hand, they’ve provided you with a huge amount of free material! Cut that box into 12x20 sheets and you’ve got probably 8 full sheets of nice flat material 
So, you placed an order, and because the shipping department was out of the normal boxes that your order would ship in, they sent your order to you in a much larger box than normal. They didn’t delay your order until the normal supplies arrived, they processed your order as quickly as possible, and along with your order, they gave you a box that doubles as a spray booth or could be cut into sheets that fit your Glowforge and used to make test cuts and or cardboard crafts… 
Yeah guys, there is a horrific shortage of cardboard box supplies in most industries right now. Be glad you got your product. If they had to use what they had on hand, it shows they value their customers more than the money it cost them to use the larger box. (Costs more to buy the big ones, and to ship them.)
Looks like the new shipping process has much improved! Last time I got a box from GF that long it looked like a boomerang when it arrived! 
But look at all the free prototyping cardboard you have now.
I actually used so much, that I had to buy cardboard sheets.
The one time I cut cardboard, I was scared to death that it would catch fire. I haven’t cut it since, although I have certainly wanted to to make test runs. How do you get over the fear of cutting it? I’d rather do 20# paper (but had so much trouble with the cutouts blowing around that I immediately canceled the printing) because there’s a setting for it, but cardboard - scary for me!
Yes, My thoughts exactly. I’m not one to always defend a company but I would be happy that they went to extraordinary means to get the product out on time. They spent more on shipping and materials just to get the order out.
That box is the box they use when you order 20" x 48" sheets of acrylic and it does make great raw cardboard for cutting.
Global supply shortages everywhere on lots of things. Recycle, reuse, repurpose. And everyone’s right - look at all of that wonderful cardboard you got to make stuff with!
I frequently cardboard for prototyping. As long as you are watching it, with a wet rag nearby, there is no,risk. If a flame persists after the laser passes, just open the lid and extinguish the flame with the rag. Its not a big deal.
I might add that in all the time I’ve done this, I’ve never had a flareup.
Ditto. I’ve used the same settings for over 3 years and the only flareup I ever had was when I accidently selected coroboard instead of cardboard. I even cut living hinges, no issues. I’m ready in case there is one, but in my experience it’s no more likely to flare than acrylic.
echoing what many have expressed. with a box that size, you’ve got plenty to use for prototyping and it wouldn’t be wasteful. (would you rather they delayed your order until they have the right size box to ship your items in?)
Good to know. I never would have thought as something as simple as a wet rag. Duh!! I do have a fire extinguisher nearby, but the thought of using that makes my heart pound - I figure it would ruin the GF. So good to know - I’ll keep a wet rag nearby (I presume not a sopping wet, but more than damp?).
Damp is fine. Its about like putting out a wooden match.
Thanks! I am encouraged to use cardboard again!
My paper storage organizer has held up well.
I have never had even a hint of a flare-up from corrugated cardboard from shipping boxes, and I use it a lot for templates/jigs.
I do, however, watch any acrylic cut like a hawk!
You should have seen the box I received, which contained only one 1/2 inch dowel. It was about 4 inches square and 8 feet long. But not large enough to use the cardboard, like your big box.
I echo this. I’ve used it many times and its an invaluable prototyping material.
That looks great!