How to Create and Sell NFT Art for Free: A Beginner’s Guide

Creating and selling NFT art can seem daunting, especially when it comes to the associated costs. However, there are several free or gas-less NFT marketplaces that can help you create and sell NFT art without any upfront investment. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating and selling NFT art for free.

Create Your Artwork

You can create your artwork using any software or program that you like. This can range from traditional painting tools to digital design software. Ensure that your artwork is unique and complies with the platform's guidelines. Popular software includes Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, and even free tools like GIMP and Aseprite.

Generate a Token

To create an NFT, you need to use a specific platform that supports NFTs. Several gas-less or free NFT marketplaces can help you generate a token for your artwork. Some of these platforms include Async Art, LooksRare, Mintable, Opensea, and Rarible. These platforms support the 'lazy minting' feature, where the NFT is not created until it is sold. Lazy minting means that there is no upfront cost for you, the artist, to create the NFT.

Add Metadata

When using a lazy minting service, you should add information about your artwork, such as its title, description, and any tags that you would like to include. This metadata is essential for the NFT metadata that will be stored on the blockchain. It helps to provide context and discoverability for your artwork, making it more appealing to buyers.

Mint Your Artwork

With lazy minting, you mint your NFT when someone purchases it. So you don’t have to pay for the minting process upfront. When someone decides to buy your NFT, the minting process is triggered, and you are charged only for the gas used at that time. This eliminates the need for you to pay for the minting expenses before you even know if your work will sell.

Set a Price

Decide on a price for your artwork and set it in the service you used to list it. Platforms like Async Art, LooksRare, and Mintable often have straightforward interfaces that allow you to list your NFT at a desired price. Be mindful of the current market trends and the value of similar NFT artworks to price your piece competitively.

List Your Artwork

List your artwork on the marketplaces you have chosen and wait for someone to purchase it. Large marketplaces like OpenSea and Rarible offer a wide audience and can help increase visibility. With lazy minting, your NFT is created the moment it is sold, ensuring that you only pay for the minting cost when the artwork is purchased. This makes it a cost-effective solution for artists who want to get into the NFT market without the initial financial burden.

NFT Marketplaces Supporting Free or Gas-Less Minting

Async Art: A platform focused on lazy minting, meaning the NFT is not created until it is sold. They offer a user-friendly interface with easy listing processes. LooksRare: Another gas-less marketplace where you only pay for the minting cost when someone buys your NFT. They have a robust community and a focus on blockchain security. Mintable: A user-friendly marketplace that supports lazy minting, ensuring artists only pay for the minting cost at the time of purchase. Opensea: Although OpenSea has slightly higher gas fees, they offer a comprehensive platform with a large audience. Artists can still list their NFTs without incurring significant upfront costs. Rarible: Known for their support of lazy minting, Rarible allows artists to create NFTs without paying minting fees upfront. They have a diverse community and regular community engagement.

By using these platforms, you can create and sell NFT art for free or very little cost, making it a more accessible and cost-effective option for many aspiring artists.

Conclusion

Creating and selling NFT art can be a fun and lucrative endeavor, especially with the advantages of free or gas-less marketplaces. By using platforms like Async Art, LooksRare, Mintable, Opensea, and Rarible, you can generate your NFT art, add metadata, set a price, and list it without incurring any significant upfront costs. Lazy minting helps to ensure that you only pay for minting when your NFT is sold, making it a very cost-effective option. Whether you are a seasoned artist or just starting out, the steps outlined above can help you get started on your NFT journey.

References

Async Art LooksRare Mintable OpenSea Rarible