Any digital file can become an NFT (non-fungible token). As an NFT you are able to prove ownership and provenance via the blockchain.
What if you are a creator and want to put your artwork up for sale? How do you mint an NFT? What does it even mean to mint an NFT?
Minting an NFT means putting your stuff on the blockchain. If you’d like to learn how to Mint an Ethereum-based NFT on OpenSea, read our informative guide below.
Get ETH
In order to get started minting your first NFT, you’ll need some ETH. Get your hands on some ETH with an exchange like Coinbase. When you mint an NFT you’ll pay a one-off fee with your ETH.
With an exchange account, you’ll be able to trade your ETH or cash out if you so choose.
Decide how much ETH you want to buy on the exchange. You’ll want to keep an eye out for the current gas fees.
Get a Crypto Wallet
After you buy your ETH on an exchange, you’ll want to move it to a wallet. You will also need one to be able to interact with NFT marketplaces like OpenSea.
We recommend using MetaMask as your wallet. It is a popular choice and is a simple setup as a browser extension. Alternatively, you can download the MetaMask app to your smartphone.
Once you install MetaMask, make sure you write your Secret Recovery Phrase down and store it in a safe place. This will be a 12-word phrase that generates your wallet. Anyone who has the Secret Recovery Phrase has access to the crypto.
You will also need to provide a password.
Send ETH to MetaMask
When you have purchased your ETH on an exchange, it’s now time to send it from the exchange to your MetaMask wallet. You never want to leave your crypto on an exchange as it is much more vulnerable to hacks.
From your crypto exchange account, look for a send or withdraw option. Enter in how much you want to send. Copy and paste your MetaMask ETH address and click send.
Sign in to OpenSea With MetaMask
Click on the MetaMask fox and enter your password to unlock the wallet. Once on Opensea, click on the wallet icon in the top right corner. You will then be prompted to select one of the many available wallets. Click MetaMask and sign the signature request.
Your Unnamed profile is now created. To verify your account, give yourself a username and provide an email address.
Mint an NFT
Now you’re ready to mint an NFT. In the top right corner on OpenSea, click Create.
You will then be brought to the Create new item page. You can upload your file (image, video, audio, or 3D model). You must give it a name. Adding an external link and description are optional but a good idea.
If everything looks good click Create. Once created, you will then list your NFT for sale by clicking sell in the top right corner.
You can decide if you’d like to sell for a fixed price or a timed auction. When listed for a fixed price you won’t have to pay the gas fees, the buyer will. If you decide to set up an auction, you will pay the gas fee though. You will be charged 2.5% in commision if and when the NFT sells. Click complete listing when you’re ready.
Your first time selling an NFT on OpenSea you’ll need to initialize your wallet (one-time gas fee mentioned earlier). The gas fee will be calculated for you and once you’re ready to go click “Confirm”.
You will then need to sign a few things to get started via MetaMask.
Once you go through OpenSea’s approval process, you are all set. Well done on your first NFT mint!
Stay tuned for more informative guides on crypto, NFTs, DeFi, and how-tos.
Learn Solidity Course
Solidity is the programming language of the future.
It gives you the rare and sought-after superpower to program against the “Internet Computer”, i.e., against decentralized Blockchains such as Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Ethereum Classic, Tron, and Avalanche – to mention just a few Blockchain infrastructures that support Solidity.
In particular, Solidity allows you to create smart contracts, i.e., pieces of code that automatically execute on specific conditions in a completely decentralized environment. For example, smart contracts empower you to create your own decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) that run on Blockchains without being subject to centralized control.
NFTs, DeFi, DAOs, and Blockchain-based games are all based on smart contracts.
This course is a simple, low-friction introduction to creating your first smart contract using the Remix IDE on the Ethereum testnet – without fluff, significant upfront costs to purchase ETH, or unnecessary complexity.
