In a decentralized ecosystem, anyone can create an NFT, including you. Creating a new NFT is called minting. Although there are different platforms that can be used to mint an NFT, the process is quite similar. Usually, this process involves:
- Connecting your wallet. Before you can interact with any NFT minting platform, you need a cryptocurrency wallet, such as the Trust Wallet browser extension. You will then need to go to the platform of your choice, such as OpenSea, and connect your wallet;
- Minting the first NFT. Once your wallet is connected, you will be able to create your first digital collectible. Here, you will be asked to upload a digital file, describe it, and fill in other necessary information, such as the blockchain on which you want to host your NFT. Once completed, you will have the option to have your NFT minted. You will need to pay a certain fee to gas for this. So make sure you have the required amount of funds in your wallet;
- Put your NFTs up for sale. Once your NFT has been successfully minted, you can put it up for sale by selecting the “Sell” option on the platform you are using.
Minting an NFT is a smart contract transaction that is different from a regular wallet-to-wallet transfer, and it is often more expensive. Data storage consumes more resources than transferring. This cost is usually very low on the newest blockchains, but it remains relatively high on Ethereum.
To reduce the gas fee, it is recommended to mint NFTs during low traffic hours when there is minimal network congestion. You can also use methods such as deferred minting, when the buyer pays for the minting.
There are several marketplaces where the NFT minting feature is available. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Opensea
OpenSea is the largest and most famous NFT marketplace where you can buy and sell all kinds of NFTs from the following categories: art, photography, sports, and music. This marketplace also supports many other digital collectibles. OpenSea supports several blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Klatyn, and Polygon.
Rarible
Rarible is a leading marketplace for rare sports and multimedia NFT collectibles that offer low gas fees and a low carbon footprint. The platform has a native token, RARI. Currently, Rarible only supports Ethereum, Tezos, Polygon, and Immutable X.
SuperRare
SuperRare is an NFT marketplace with an art gallery atmosphere that focuses primarily on the interests of creators. As a result, most NFTs on the platform are more works of art than memes. The platform uses Ethereum to mint and trade NFTs.