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August 26, 2022

How to Mint NFTs With Utility Gas-Free

NFT minting is the process of creating unique digital assets on a blockchain, establishing ownership and authenticity for digital...

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Shardeum Content Team

Home » Blog » Blockchain Basics » How to Mint NFTs With Utility Gas-Free

Introduction

NFTs have become increasingly popular among investors and digital art enthusiasts in recent times. For the uninitiated, an NFT is a blockchain-based token that can be used to prove ownership of any digital item, including images, videos, music, etc. NFT minting is the process of transforming digital files into cryptographic collections or digital assets that are then stored on a blockchain. NFT minting is also a great way for artists to monetize their work and earn passive income.

Let us explore how to mint NFTs.

The answer to the question ‘how to mint NFTs’ is quite simple. Here’s how you can get started with NFT minting.

First, open a crypto wallet and deposit funds into it. Then, link it to the NFT marketplace of your choice.

Complete your profile information.

Next, select the artwork you wish to mint and fill in details like the collection name and description.

Finally, initiate the NFT minting procedure by adding the asset to your collection. Congrats, your first NFT has now been minted!

These are the steps to follow if you’re looking for how to mint NFTs.

What are NFTs?

Before we find out ‘how to mint NFTs’, let’s learn the basic definition first. NFT is an acronym for the non-fungible token, and they are usually minted following the ERC-721 token standard on the Ethereum blockchain. They are blockchain-based digital assets just like usual cryptocurrencies; however, there is one major difference between non fungible tokens and general cryptocurrencies.

While one unit of a particular crypto like Bitcoin can be traded for another with ease, the ‘non fungibility’ of NFTs doesn’t allow them to be traded for another NFT, because these assets all possess unique traits. The term NFT therefore clearly expresses that an NFT can neither be replaced nor exchanged for anything similar due to having exclusive properties. In contrast, fiat currency like the USD or cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are fungible, implying that units of them can be traded and interchanged for one another.

So, key features of non fungible tokens include:

They are virtual assets, and can represent any real world or digital assets like art, real estate, music, game characters, videos, and more.
NFTs serve as excellent proofs of authentication, as everything from their origin to current ownership gets recorded on the blockchain they are based upon.
NFTs are unique because their underlying assets are exclusive; they can not be forged or tampered with.

Now, how much does it cost to mint an NFT, and how to mint NFTs?

How Much Does it Cost to Mint an NFT?

The cost of minting an NFT varies depending on the platform and is often determined by a number of variables. The NFT minting cost is also usually adjusted for the different transaction costs incurred by different platforms.

The average cost of minting or creating NFTs can range from less than $1 to more than $1,000. Typically, the cost to open an account varies between $70 and $120 for popular NFT wallets. In most cases, NFT minters have to pay fees up in advance, whereas some platforms charge artists a percentage of the NFT’s ultimate sale price.

Free options like gasless NFT marketplaces are also available.

Minting NFTs for Free

With NFTs exploding in popularity and making investors rich overnight, an increasing number of people are undoubtedly looking to get in on the action. But as we’ve seen above, creating an NFT and putting it up for sale on any marketplace comes at a hefty price. It should also be noted that there are costs associated with both minting and selling NFTs. This has obviously discouraged several artists and creators from creating their own collections. This is where free NFT minting becomes relevant.

Searching how to mint NFTs without having to pay gas fees? Welcome to the “Lazy Minting” club. Essentially, lazy minting is the process of minting an NFT without paying for gas. Go with a gasless NFT marketplace like Polygon’s NFT Minter, which comes with a tonne of fantastic features for NFT creators. And the best part? Everything is 100% gas-free. This is no doubt one of the most cost-efficient approaches to NFT minting.

Mint NFTs Without Paying Gas Fees — Source: Mirror.xyz | *Polygon’s free NFT Minter*

Are Free-to-Mint NFTs a Viable Option for Creators?

As NFT creators seek to create buzz and sell their work while saving on minting costs, an increasing number of projects are releasing NFTs via free-to-mint models. Many NFT projects are now following this path; CryptoPunks, for example, was originally available for free. Of course, since the original release of CryptoPunks, times have changed. Free-to-mint NFTs does appear to be a feasible alternative for creators for the time being, but many are unsure of their long-term viability when it comes to the secondary market for free mints. In the end, though, making NFTs free to mint lowers the barriers to entry into this market, making it accessible to both experts and novices.

Here are some common concerns you might have about free NFT minting.

Do Free-to-Mint NFTs Work?

Yes. Free-to-mint NFTs do work. The NFT drops with the best prospects of succeeding typically have a lot of hype and a large following. They are somewhat exclusive, and buyers are often picked from whitelists. Therefore, the value of free-to-mint NFTs increases in direct proportion to how exclusive they are considered to be.

Who Benefits Most from Free Mints?

Free-to-mint NFTs typically cause considerable FOMO (fear of missing out), which is understandable given how well some free NFT projects, like CryptoPunks, have done over the years. However, not everyone can benefit from them. Independent artists probably wouldn’t make much money from a free-to-mint drop, while bigger projects will ultimately profit by taking a cut of each sale made on the secondary market. Hence, before dipping your toes in the NFT scene, always figure out how to mint NFTs in the most beneficial way.

A Long-Term Solution for NFTs?

Free-to-mint NFTs are a fantastic idea; however, merely giving away thousands of NFTs for free is not a guarantee that you will make money. Especially for collectors, the money won’t start to come in until the frenzy hits its zenith. In the long run, nevertheless, this could be a huge advantage of free-to-mint NFTs and strengthen the argument for their viability. Some of the best places to mint NFTs include OpenSea, Rarible, Nifty Gateway, etc.

Steps for Creating an NFT for Free

Essentially, NFTs are a method of securing a digital file’s uniqueness and proving ownership by registering it on a cryptocurrency blockchain. Typically, the gas fees for minting an NFT on the blockchains are quite high. The fees rise in price as the blockchain becomes more crowded. Fortunately, there are now free alternatives like gasless NFT marketplaces that enable artists to mint their NFTs without spending any extra money.

Here are the steps to follow to create an NFT for free.

1. Creating a Crypto Wallet Account

To register for an account on any NFT marketplace and create your NFT, you will first require a cryptocurrency wallet. Crypto wallets are hardware devices or computer programs that store and transfer digital assets. Although there are numerous wallet providers, MetaMask is the most widely used cryptocurrency wallet. Once you create your wallet, you’ll be asked to set a password, or you’ll be provided with a ‘seed phrase,’ which will act as your password, depending on the platform.

2. Making an Account on an NFT Marketplace

Next, you have to create an account on your chosen NFT marketplace. As discussed above, the best places to mint NFTs are popular options like OpenSea and Rarible. However, make sure to research your options and understand your requirements before deciding on a marketplace. Create an account by filling in your personal information and other information (if any). Then, connect your crypto wallet to the marketplace.

3. Painting Some Art

Next, make the artwork that you wish to sell as an NFT. Once the art is made, make a digital copy of it.

4. Uploading your Art

Once you have the digital copy of your art ready, upload it on the NFT marketplace. You will be asked to enter details like NFT name, description, price, and other details in this step.

5. Choosing Free NFT Minting

The next step is minting. If you are looking for free NFT minting, you can try the lazy minting technique mentioned earlier in the article. Ideally, choose a gasless NFT marketplace if your top priority is free minting.

6. The NFT is Minted

Finally, once the NFT minting is done, you can put it up for sale on the platform and wait for someone to buy it.

Conclusion

NFTs are undoubtedly a great way for artists and individuals to make passive income. As the world increasingly focuses on digital assets, NFTs have risen to the mainstream. However, investors should beware of fake NFTs and other scam projects before they invest all their money. Always do your research, and stick to reputable NFT marketplaces when investing. Learn the basics, such as “how to mint NFTs” and “how to create NFTs”, before getting started. If you’re still confused about jumping the NFT bandwagon, now is the right time. They are fun, they are rewarding, they are unique, and they are the future.

Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s a Blockchain?

A blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that is immutable and transparent and uses a peer-to-peer network of computers to maintain a record of bitcoin or other cryptocurrency transactions.

2. What Gives an NFT Value?

Generally speaking, the kind of asset that an NFT represents on the blockchain determines its value. If the item is tangible, its NFT will correspond to its market value. However, if the asset is a digital piece of content without a price tag, its worth is entirely speculative.

3. Why is an NFT jpeg Worth so Much?

Comparing NFT jpegs to works of art is the best approach to comprehend why they are valuable. A Picasso painting may not do anything, but it is still quite expensive. The collectability of NFTs is evidently one of the reasons why they are so valuable.

4. How Much does it Cost to Make an NFT?

An NFT can be created for as little as $1 or as much as $150. Always learn how to mint NFTs and other fundamentals before spending your money on making one.

5. What Kinds of NFTs Sell the Best?

The most widely used type of NFT is art. Because of this, art is also the NFT type with the highest sales. Utility NFTS, metaverse and gaming NFTs, music NFTs, meme NFTs, and other NFT tokens are some of the other NFT tokens that sell the best.

6. Can I Avoid Gas Fees Without Using Lazy Minting?

No. However, lazy minting is the best way to avoid paying a gas fee. In this method, the gas fee is paid after purchasing an NFT. Hence, buyers pay the fees, not the creators. As a result, lazy minting is the best alternative for those wondering how to mint NFTs at the least cost.