How to Create an NFT Art in 10 Simple Steps

Without a doubt, one of the most exciting elements of NFTs is the fact that anyone can try their hand at creating their very own token. Anybody with an idea, a bit of spare cash, and the know-how can make and mint an NFT for sale. 

Perhaps you are done browsing the art that others have created and want to throw your hat in the ring. Whether you are an experienced graphic designer or just a creative soul with a passion for crypto, creating NFTs is anybody’s game. 

At NFTsPedia, we are all about inclusivity and helping anyone with an interest in the industry find a way to get involved. With this in mind, we have put together a simple 10-step guide on how to create your own NFT art. Before we go into detail, let’s discuss a few of the basics. 

Creating NFT Art in a Nutshell

• You do not need to be a coding expert to mint your own NFT.
• Minting generally costs money, so make sure your account is funded before you start.
• Create either a stand-alone token or an edition token.
• You must have the intellectual rights of whatever you decide to turn into an NFT.
• Ethereum is the main Blockchain for NFTs, but there are other options available. 

It All Starts with an Idea

Sadly, there is no step-by-step guide on how to come up with a great idea that people are going to love at an auction. NFTs are so eclectic that nobody knows what is going to be a hit. One of the beautiful things about NFT artwork is the randomness of it all, with a true spirit of anything goes circling the entire industry. 

That said, coming up with an idea of what you want your NFT artwork to look like is entirely down to you. There are, however, a few things to note. First of all, whatever image, sound file, video, or artwork you use must be your intellectual property. If you didn’t make it, don’t try to mint it! If you do, you could face legal repercussions. 

Additionally, if you are an artist or graphic designer, you own anything you create. The same applies to musicians or sound engineers. Even if you have never done something creative before and you mint a squiggly line you drew on an iPad, you are the intellectual owner of that work. 

The second thing worth noting about your artwork idea is how capable you are of creating it. Play to your strengths: you can upload photography, scan drawings, or create digital art if you know how to. You could mix sound files, write text, or do anything else you feel comfortable with. One of the most expensive NFTs ever sold at auction is a heavily pixelated, super basic digital drawing of a weird-looking dude. it does not need to look like a Di Vinci classic to sell at auction. 

What Is Minting?

Let’s rewind. What exactly do we mean when we talk about minting? Generally speaking, it is the act of officially creating something from scratch, marking it somehow to provide proof of origin. It applies to coins, new technology, jewelry, and precious metals, to name a few. 

In the crypto world, all new coins must be minted before they are official, as must an NFT artwork. By minting the creation, the work is no longer just a digital file; it is now a unique asset that exists forever and cannot be changed. 

Can You Mint for Free?

Usually, no. Minting an NFT art costs money- sometimes a lot of money. On average, most platforms charge between $70 and $100 for minting an NFT on their Blockchain. It is possible, however, to defer the cost of minting until the time of sale, making the buyer pay the fee instead of the seller. This is known as lazy minting or last-minute minting, which is popular amongst creators that don’t have a big budget for getting their work out there.

You can find detailed descriptions and tutorials about all things mint at the NFT School if you want more in-depth knowledge. 

To Code or Not to Code: That Is the Question

A lot of people think they cannot create their own NFT art if they don’t know how to code. Once upon a time, that was true, but not anymore. There are plenty of platforms that let you make an NFT without having to write a single line of code, making it a whole lot more accessible for a whole lot more people.

Here are some examples of recommended sites where you can create a code-free NFT:

• Opensea.io
• Mintable
• Rarible 

Our step-by-step guide walks you through how to mint an NFT without coding on platforms such as the three mentioned above. If you are interested in coding your NFT, you can find an excellent walkthrough here.

10 Steps to Minting Your Own Non-Fungible Token

Once you have your idea ready to go and the artwork is created, it is time to make it official. In just 10 steps, you can turn your creation into a verified and minted NFT ready to sell to the highest bidder.

Follow this guide, and you can’t go far wrong. 

Step 1: Pick a Marketplace

The first step (after designing your art, of course) is to decide where you want to upload it. There are a great many marketplaces to choose from, but the ones that let you mint without coding are more limited. It is best to go for a largescale market such as Opensea, which offers an eclectic range of NFTs and buyers. 

Some factors that may influence what marketplace you choose could be:

• What Blockchain they use
• How much is the minting fee
• The niche of NFTs they sell
• Whether or not you need to be an accepted member before you can sell

The most important thing is to pick a marketplace that feels right for your style and is user-friendly enough to understand. Shop around a little- it is worth your time.

Step 2: Prepare a Digital Wallet

If you don’t already have a digital wallet, you need to set one up. It should be compatible with whatever platform you have chosen. Most of the mainstream platforms work predominantly with Ethereum, so MetaMask is a good one to choose.

Make sure you save the security codes for entering your wallet. Otherwise, you are likely to lose whatever is inside it.

Step 3: Connect the Wallet to the Marketplace

Sign in to the marketplace of your choice using the login details from your digital wallet. Doing so automatically pairs your marketplace account to your wallet account, making for fast and easy transactions. 

If that option is not available on the marketplace you are using, look for an option to connect wallet. It should be easy to find since that is how the platforms get paid!

Step 4: Fund Your Account

Minting an NFT costs money. Some sites charge a lot more than others, so be sure to check that out before you start. It is important that your account has enough currency in it to cover the costs when the time comes. If you don’t, the process is likely to fail. 

You can move funds from your digital wallet over to your marketplace account without trouble. If you don’t have any money in it to transfer, get onto a cryptocurrency exchange and buy yourself some Ethereum or whatever other coin your platform requires.

Step 5: Customize the Collection Details

This is when the real creating starts. The first stage is to open a collection by giving it a name. Think of this as preparing your gallery in which to display future art. Add a description and a cover image so that people can see straight away what you have to offer.

Step 6: Upload Your File and Give It a Name

The stage is set- time for the main event! Upload the file you want to turn into an NFT. Remember, you must be the intellectual owner of whatever you are about to upload unless you want to battle copyright law and pay some hefty fines. 

What is also important to double-check is that the file is exactly as you want it to be. Once uploaded and minted, you cannot make any changes whatsoever. Make sure everything is correct, upload the file, and give it a name. 

Step 7: Choose What Type of Token You Want

There are two types of NFTs: stand-alone tokens and edition tokens. A stand-alone token is truly one of a kind, with no other versions. An edition token is part of a series with multiple versions of the same thing. If you think you are onto a winning formula that you intend to repeat, upload it as an edition token. Otherwise, stand-alone is fine. 

Step 8: Add Properties, Details, Social Links, etc.

Up next are the technical details that need to be added to your file. They help people find your NFT via filters during searches and generally make your artwork more visible. Add the date of creation, inclusions in the design, programs used, niche category, or any other interesting details that may be relevant to a potential buyer.

Step 9: Create and Pay

Before clicking create, look over everything, so be absolutely certain it is how you want it. There is no turning back after this! When you confirm the creation, your file is added to the Blockchain and becomes an official non-fungible token! 

At this point, most platforms take payment automatically from your connected account, so be prepared for this to happen. You should already know roughly what to expect, but it is still worth noting. Some platforms, Rarible, for example, do not have a charge, so people on a tight budget should consider something like this.

Step 10: List the NFT for Sale

All that remains is to list your NFT for sale on the marketplace of your choice. You have two options: set a fixed price or register it for auction. If you want to put it up for auction, you need to set the reserve price, a.k.a the minimum amount you are happy to let it sell for.  

Some platforms charge a fee for first-time sellers, but you shouldn’t have a cost every time, depending on your account. You can monitor the progress of an auction as it goes, as well as setting and adjusting the time frame.

Yes, It Is That Easy!

That, as they say, is that! A lot simpler than you thought, right? All in all, once your artwork is created, it doesn’t take too much work to make it official. As long as you have a good platform, a compatible wallet, and enough funds to get started, you are good to go. 

If it is your first time minting an NFT, this method is by far the best. Experienced coders or developers have other methods of getting their work out there, but it is not quite as easy to navigate. Keep it simple until you feel ready to kick it up a notch or stick to the basics if you find that they work for you!