Easy
How to create an NFT: a complete guide for beginners
Wondering how to create an NFT ? Whether you want to create your own NFT or simply understand the process, this article explains everything, step by step with screenshots to easily create NFTs
Table of Contents
What is an NFT?
A -fungible token (NFT) is a digital asset recorded on a blockchain . Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, each NFT is unique and possesses distinct characteristics that cannot be replicated. NFTs allow for the certification of ownership of a digital work, whether it be an image, a video, a piece of music, a virtual object, or even a tweet.
Here's how to create an NFT in 5 simple steps
1. Choose a work to convert into an NFT
To create your NFT , start by selecting the digital content you want to convert into an NFT . This could be:
- An NFT artwork (drawing, digital painting, photograph)
- An animation or a video clip
- A piece of music
- A virtual object or an avatar
- A meme or any other creative content
Make sure you own the intellectual property rights to this creation, as NFTs can serve as a certificate of ownership. Each NFT is linked to metadata that precisely describes the work.
2. Choose a suitable blockchain
Creating an NFT requires a blockchain to store the token. The most popular ones are:
- Ethereum : the most used, with the largest market
- BNB Chain : lower transaction fees
- Solana : fast and economical
- Berachain , Base , Ronin
The choice of blockchain impacts the creation costs (called gas fees) and the visibility of your NFT on the NFT market .
3. Create a crypto wallet
Once your NFT is created, it is essential to store it securely . For this, you have two main options: hot wallet wallets and cold wallet wallets .
Hot wallet : practical but exposed
hot wallet ( wallets connected to the internet) such as MetaMask , Trust Wallet , or Coinbase Wallet are widely used due to their ease of use and direct compatibility with NFT marketplaces.
However, their main drawback is their vulnerability to hacking, malware, and phishing : being constantly online, they represent an easier target for hackers.
To learn how to use a decentralized wallet, we offer our free, step-by-step guide, with supporting screenshots.
What you will learn:
✔ Mastering a decentralized wallet ( DeFi ) – Learn how to manage your assets without intermediaries and interact directly with the blockchain.
✔ Transacting via a decentralized wallet – A practical guide to trading cryptocurrencies independently.
✔ Exploring decentralized finance ( DeFi ) – Discover advanced concepts like staking and NFTs , and optimize your investment strategies.
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Cold wallet : the most secure solution
cold wallet , on the other hand, are offline wallets . They offer a much higher level of security, as your private keys never leave the physical device, preventing any remote attack .
For managing NFTs and ensuring a high level of security, we recommend Ledger wallets . They allow you to:
Store your NFTs securely via Ledger Live,
Sign transactions locally , without exposing your private key .
Use applications compatible with the Ethereum , Polygon , etc., while being compatible with all NFT platforms (Opensea, Looksrare, Blur, etc.)
Thanks to this solution, your NFTs remain safe even if your computer is compromised .
👉 To discover Ledger model best suited to your needs , we invite you to consult our Ledger models .
4. Choosing an NFT platform
To and sell an NFT , you need to use an NFT platform or marketplace. The most popular ones are:
- OpenSea : the largest and most accessible, ideal for beginners
- Rare
- Mintable
- LooksRare
These platforms allow you to create an account , connect your wallet and start the creation of an NFT .
5. Minting: Create and register your NFT on the blockchain
The term "minting" refers to the process of creating an NFT on the blockchain. On the chosen platform:
- Go ahead and create a new NFT by uploading your digital file (image, video, audio…)
- Add a title, a description, and define the ownership rights and royalties (the percentage you will receive on resales).
- Select the blockchain and confirm the creation by paying the gas fees (unless you are using a free NFT via lazy minting).
Once minted, your NFT is unique, stored on the blockchain and can be listed for sale.
Is it possible to create an NFT for free?
Yes, it's possible to create NFTs for free using the lazy minting . For example, OpenSea offers this option, allowing you to create an NFT without paying any upfront fees. The NFT is then created only upon the first sale, and the buyer is responsible for the fees.
However, this method sometimes limits visibility and the number of potential buyers, as some collectors prefer to buy pre-minted NFTs. Several NFT platforms offer this feature to attract novice creators.
Technical details you need to know to create an NFT
Metadata and storage
Each NFT contains metadata describing the work (title, description, author, links to the file). This data is stored on the blockchain or, often, on decentralized systems like IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) to reduce the load on the blockchain.
Types of NFTs
There are different types of NFTs :
- NFT artwork : images, paintings, illustrations
- Music and audio
- Digital collectibles (cards, avatars)
- Event Tickets
- web3 domains
Create an NFT collection
On OpenSea and other platforms , you can create a collection grouping several similar NFTs (for example, a series of avatars). This makes management and promotion easier.
How to sell and make money with NFTs?
After creating and selling your first NFT , you can:
- Set a fixed price or organize an auction
- Earn royalties on resales thanks to the ownership rights included in the contract
- Promote your NFT on social media and within communities
The NFT market is booming, with trading volumes exceeding several billion dollars annually, particularly on Ethereum , Solana , and Bitcoin.
Concrete example: creating an NFT on OpenSea
Start by having a wallet and connecting it to OpenSea .
Go to the "Profile" , then click on "Created" and finally on "Create a collection" .
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Log in again : if your wallet does not appear in the list, use WalletConnect . You will be asked to complete a signature transaction — no funds will be debited , this is solely related to the terms of service .
Before proceeding, you will need to choose between two creation methods :
Drop : to organize a launch scheduled for a specific date and time , with a surprise effect ( reveal after purchase ) — ideal for a complete or community project .
Collection or item : to immediately create an NFT or collection that is visible and available for sale right now — perfect for individual works or one-off sales .
➡️ Once the mode has been chosen:
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Add your media (image, video, GIF or audio) by dragging and dropping it or by clicking on "Browse files" . The maximum allowed size is 50 MB and the supported formats are JPG, PNG, GIF, SVG, MP4 .
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Select or create a new collection by clicking on "Create a new collection" .
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Give your NFT a name in the "Name" .
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Enter the number of copies to create in the "Supply" (generally: 1 for a single NFT).
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Fill in the "Description" to explain your work or its purpose.
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Optionally, add an external link (to your website, portfolio, or social network).
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You can also click on "Add trait" to define characteristics (traits) specific to your NFT, useful especially in collections.
The following steps will then appear (not visible here but will be available after content validation):
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Choose the blockchain : Ethereum (market standard) or Polygon (lower fees).
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Define your royalties if offered (e.g., 5% on future resales).
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Click on “Create” to validate the minting : either with fees if on Ethereum , or for free if on Polygon or via lazy minting.
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Finally, you can put your NFT up for sale : at a fixed price or at auction , depending on your launch strategy.
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Tips for successfully creating your NFT
- Create high-quality NFTs to attract buyers
- Pay attention to the description and metadata
- Choose a platform with good traffic
- Use social media to promote your NFTs
- Understand the intellectual property rights associated with your works
- Avoid copies or non-original works
In summary
To create an NFT, you must:
- Create a digital work for which you hold the rights
- Choose a suitable blockchain
- Create a crypto wallet if you haven't already done so
- Choose an NFT platform like OpenSea
- Mint your NFT by uploading your file and paying the fee or by using lazy minting
- List your NFT for sale and manage the promotion
Anyone can create an NFT today, whether it's NFT art, an avatar, or a digital object. NFTs can be a way to showcase your creations and even earn money from them.
Go ahead and create your own NFT from your imagination or your existing works, and join the young market for non-fungible tokens.
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Yoann
Trained as an engineer, I quickly became interested in the field of finance. Convinced that decentralized finance has a bright future, I am participating in its democratization by developing Crypternon.