How to Create and Sell NFTs for Free

What is NFT Minting?

NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token, which is used to prove ownership of specific assets. Typically, NFTs refer to digital assets. Simply put, NFT minting is the process of creating artwork on the blockchain.

What can be turned into an NFT? Basically, anything you own in the digital space can be minted. You can create NFTs from tweets, digital artwork, and even music albums. Among these, art pieces gained significant popularity in recent years.

Artists worldwide can now create and sell their artwork securely thanks to blockchain technology. Moreover, anyone can create NFTs and sell their work.

However, when tokenizing digital assets and minting NFTs, formidable gas fees occur. Since most NFTs are issued on Ethereum, we will introduce methods using Ethereum. However, every transaction on these popular networks incurs gas fees, typically expensive gas fees.

The NFT minting process is not much different from uploading content to streaming platforms, but gas fees cannot be ignored and they fluctuate over time.

When minting and creating NFTs, you need a cryptocurrency wallet like MetaMask and a small amount of Ether to pay for gas fees. In this guide, we will explore how to create and sell NFTs for free on Ethereum and Polygon blockchains.

Minting NFTs for Free

Before learning how to sell NFT artwork, you need to choose a marketplace where you can mint NFTs for free. Additionally, you need a cryptocurrency wallet to pay fees and receive payments when your NFT is sold.

You can create and sell NFTs on numerous platforms, each with different features. We will explore the most famous platforms for NFT trading – OpenSea and Rarible. While they support various cryptocurrency wallets, we will use MetaMask, the most popular wallet among crypto users.

However, what you must know about popular NFT markets is that while NFT minting is free, they charge a 2.5% service fee (based on sales) for NFT listing. This fee goes to the platform, not the blockchain network.

How to Mint NFTs for Free on OpenSea

Step 1: Install MetaMask Wallet and Create an Account

MetaMask is a popular cryptocurrency wallet that can be installed as a browser extension. If you have never used it before, first download the wallet from the MetaMask website.

If you already have a MetaMask wallet, you can import it using your secret recovery phrase. If you are a new user, you can create a wallet by following the instructions. Since device issues can occur, write down (using pen and paper) the secret phrase needed to recover your wallet. You also need to set a password that will be required each time you connect to a new device.

Step 2: Connect MetaMask to OpenSea

Go to the OpenSea marketplace and click the wallet icon in the upper right corner to connect your wallet. Select MetaMask from the wallet options (a popup will appear) and click confirm. Once your wallet is connected to the NFT market, you can view your profile and create your first NFT.

Step 3: Create and Mint NFTs for Free on OpenSea

Choose between a Single NFT or an NFT collection. NFT collection minting is more popular as it has a higher success rate than single NFTs.

You can create a Single NFT by clicking Create in the upper right menu. To create an NFT collection, click account icon (upper right, next to the wallet icon) > My collections > Create a collection.

The minting process for singles and collections is quite similar. NFT collections require additional information, and after creation, you can add items or choose the number of NFTs to mint. If you want to add scarcity to your NFTs, you can burn some later.

You must include the following details for each artwork or NFT:

• Digital artwork (image, video, audio, 3D model)
• Name
• External link
• Description
• Collection (if you have created one)
• Properties
• Unlockable content
• Supply
• Blockchain

Since we are discussing how to create and sell NFTs for free, it is very important to select Polygon instead of the default Ethereum.

As you may know, Ethereum is mainly used for NFT blockchains, but other blockchains that support smart contracts and NFT minting also exist. Polygon's fees are considerably low and fast, making it one of the main networks suitable for NFT and cryptocurrency trading. In this case too, OpenSea creators can create NFTs for free using Polygon.

Click Create to generate your first NFT. However, it is not yet listed for sale and will not appear in searches.

Step 4: Upload NFT

To list your NFT, you need to click Sell (upper right).

You can set your desired price.

After entering all details, click Complete listing. Then it will appear in the sales listing.

Keep in mind that when your NFT sells, you must pay 2.5% of the sale price as an OpenSea fee.

All done! Now you can create and sell NFTs on OpenSea.

What is Lazy Minting?

Also known as gasless minting, Lazy minting is an NFT that is minted at the time of purchase (not creation), allowing new artists to mint NFTs without upfront costs. Lazy minting is a feature provided by popular markets including OpenSea and Rarible.

The lazy minting feature was introduced in recent years when creators felt burdened by skyrocketing gas fees. This feature is especially suitable for creators who are new to the market or do not want to pay expensive amounts before their work sells.

With lazy minting, advanced technology allows the cost of minting NFTs to be deferred until they are sold to the first buyer. After the sale is made, it is actually recorded on the blockchain. Before being minted, related data is stored in IPFS, a decentralized file storage system.

NFT transfer fees are also included in gas fees. This is why creators do not have to pay additional costs. A certain percentage of the purchase price is used to record the NFT on the blockchain.

How to Mint NFTs for Free on Rarible

Rarible is another NFT market famous for NFT artwork, game items, and other NFT assets. We will now introduce in detail how to sell NFTs for free on Rarible. Since you need a wallet to connect to Rarible, we will use MetaMask as we did with OpenSea.

Step 1: Install MetaMask Wallet and Create an Account

This step is the same as Step 1 in OpenSea. If you do not have a MetaMask wallet, create and download one. You must safely store your secret recovery phrase in case device issues occur.

Step 2: Connect MetaMask to Rarible

Go to Rarible.com, click Sign > Sign in with MetaMask, and connect your MetaMask wallet.

Step 3: Create and Mint NFTs for Free on Rarible

Once you have connected the marketplace from your wallet and agreed to Rarible's terms of service, click Create (upper right) to create an NFT.

Click the Ethereum blockchain and select Single or Multiple NFT.

Clicking Multiple allows you to create an NFT collection, which is commonly selected. However, since we are learning about how to create and sell NFTs for free, there is not much difference. Therefore, we will select Single.

Enter the following details for your new NFT:

• Digital file (image, video, audio)
• Select sales type (fixed price, bid, time-limited auction)
• Price
• Unlockable content
• Collection (select Rarible for free minting)
• Free minting (must be enabled)
• Name
• Description
• Royalties

Be sure to select the Rarible collection to enable the free minting feature.

Also, verify that the free minting feature is enabled. In fact, this feature is the lazy minting function. Using this feature, when the NFT is first sold, the buyer pays the gas fees needed to mint the NFT.

After filling in all information and confirming accuracy (cannot be changed later), scroll down and click Create item. You have minted your first NFT on Rarible.

Once the NFT is created, it can be purchased immediately on Rarible. However, until someone actually purchases the NFT, it is only minted on the Ethereum blockchain and not stored on the blockchain.

Congratulations! You have now learned how to sell NFTs for free on Rarible!

How to Sell NFTs

You now know how to sell NFTs for free on OpenSea and Rarible. Now let us explore two methods: building an NFT community and promoting NFTs.

Building a Community

Forming an NFT community is very important and is something new artists must pay attention to. OpenSea and other famous NFT markets use social verification for artwork approval. OpenSea requires at least one social media account to manage NFT collections and make them public.

First, inform your subscribers that you are interested in NFTs. Then share your first NFT collection as soon as you create it.

Experts recommend releasing limited edition NFT editions to increase revenue and followers.

Promoting NFTs

You need to know how to promote NFTs to increase the chances of selling your work. Do not make the mistake of thinking that people will buy your work just because you list it. You must promote your NFTs through all possible social media channels. The majority of NFT authors and production companies use Twitter, Telegram, Discord, and Reddit to communicate with fans.

OpenSea and Rarible

You have now learned how to sell NFT artwork on both OpenSea and Rarible platforms. So which market is better? The results will vary depending on the community, already established fan base, differentiated features, and personal preferences. Since there are differences between OpenSea and Rarible, you can utilize each according to your preferred specific features.

In conclusion, both are popular NFT markets, so they have many similarities. However, a representative difference is that NFTs can be minted on different blockchains. On OpenSea, you can mint on Ethereum or Polygon blockchains, while on Rarible, you can mint on Ethereum, Flow, and Tezos. Since NFTs have received considerable attention relatively recently, both markets expect more NFT creators to participate in the cryptocurrency market. Therefore, the current gap may narrow in the future.

Additionally, Rarible introduced verification badges. Artists prefer this feature, and it will serve as an important factor in choosing a platform for selling NFTs.

FAQ

What is NFT? What is the difference between NFT and ordinary digital files?

NFT is a unique digital token representing one-of-a-kind digital assets. Unlike ordinary digital files, NFT has unique identity and ownership records on blockchain. Each NFT is indivisible and irreplaceable, providing true ownership and authenticity verification.

How to Create and Sell NFTs for Free? What Tools and Platforms Are Needed?

Use platforms like Rarible or OpenSea to create NFTs for free. You need an Ethereum wallet and some ETH for gas fees. Upload your digital artwork, set metadata, and mint your NFT instantly without coding.

Is creating and selling NFTs completely free? What are the hidden costs?

Creating NFTs involves gas fees for blockchain transactions，which are unavoidable costs. Additionally，platform fees and listing costs may apply. While minting can be free on some platforms，selling always incurs transaction fees that reduce your profits.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of mainstream NFT platforms like OpenSea and Rarible?

OpenSea offers free NFT creation and lower transaction fees with massive trading volume. Rarible provides stronger artist-friendly features and community engagement. OpenSea has broader market reach; Rarible excels in user control and governance participation.

How to Price NFTs? What Kind of NFTs Are Easier to Buy?

NFT pricing is set by creators or issuers. Popular, unique, or limited edition NFTs sell better. High-demand art, rare collectibles, celebrity-endorsed pieces, and NFTs with strong utility attract more buyers and achieve higher transaction volumes.

How to Create and Sell NFTs for Free - What fees do I need to pay when selling NFTs (gas fees, platform fees, etc.)?

Selling NFTs involves gas fees for blockchain transactions, platform listing fees, and sales commissions. Gas fees vary by network congestion. Most platforms charge 2.5% commission, plus creators may take 5-15%. Total costs depend on the specific marketplace and network you use.

How to promote and market my NFT works to increase sales?

Choose the right blockchain platform, list on reputable NFT marketplaces, and actively promote through social media, Discord communities, and collaborations with other creators to build audience engagement and drive sales volume.

Is NFT trading safe? What risks and scams should I watch out for?

NFT trading carries risks including phishing scams and fake links. Protect your private keys, verify URLs carefully, use reputable platforms, and never share sensitive information. Stay vigilant against social engineering attempts and suspicious transactions.

Which blockchain should beginners choose to create NFTs (Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, etc.)?

Beginners should choose Polygon for lowest fees and fastest transactions. Ethereum offers security and largest market, while Solana provides high speed. Select based on your budget and speed needs.