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How to Mint NFTs: A Beginner's Guide

by Daniel Volkov

What is NFT Minting?

NFT minting is the process of turning your digital files into part of the blockchain, a type of public ledger. This process makes the digital asset tamper-proof and less susceptible to alterations. Whether you're a digital artist, a musician, or a content creator, minting NFTs can open new avenues for showcasing and monetizing your work.

What is a Wallet and How to Set One Up

Digital Wallet: A digital wallet is a software application that stores, sends, and receives digital assets like cryptocurrencies and NFTs. It's similar to a physical wallet, but it holds your digital money and tokens instead of cash and cards.

Setting Up a Wallet

  • Choose a Wallet: Some popular wallets include MetaMask, Coinbase Smart Wallet, and Rabby Wallet. At Transient Labs, we recommend getting started with the Coinbase Smart Wallet.

  • Download and Install: Download the wallet app from the official website or app store.

  • Create an Account: Open the app and follow the instructions to create a new account.

  • Secure Your Wallet: Write down your recovery phrase and store it in a safe place. This phrase is crucial for recovering your wallet if you lose access to it.

  • Add Funds: You can add funds to your wallet by buying cryptocurrency through the wallet app or transferring it from another wallet.

  • Start Creating: Now that you’ve created and funded your wallet you’re ready to deploy your first smart contract and mint your first NFT!

Understanding Smart Contracts

Smart Contracts A smart contract is a set of coded instructions that automatically execute specific actions when predetermined conditions are met. Deployed on the blockchain, smart contracts enable the creation and management of NFTs, ensuring authenticity and provenance. At Transient Labs, all contracts are creator-owned, giving you full ownership and control over your NFTs.

Explanation for Beginners: Think of a smart contract as a digital "if-then" statement that is stored on the blockchain. For example, "If person A sends 1 ETH (a type of cryptocurrency), then person B receives a digital artwork (NFT)." These contracts run automatically without needing a middleman.

What’s the Difference Between 1/1/X Collections and Edition Collections

1/1/X Collections / ERC-721 Contracts The ERC-721 standard is used for creating unique, one-of-a-kind NFTs. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Unique Tokens

  • : Each token is one-of-a-kind.

  • Unique Ownership

  • : Each token is unique and can only have one owner at a time, making it ideal for 1/1 art pieces, membership tokens, and other exclusive items.

Editions / ERC-1155 Contracts The ERC-1155 standard is designed for creating multiple copies of the same token. Here’s how it differs:

  • Multiple Copies

  • : A single token ID can represent multiple copies of the same item.

  • Multiple Owners

  • : Multiple people can own the same token simultaneously.

  • Use Cases

  • : Suitable for editions, bulk items, and items meant to be distributed in larger quantities.

Explanation for Beginners: Think of ERC-721 tokens like original paintings—each one is unique. In contrast, ERC-1155 tokens are like limited edition prints—many copies of the same artwork can exist.

How to Choose the Right Blockchain: Ethereum vs. Base vs. Arbitrum

Ethereum

  • Pros: Most widely used blockchain for NFTs, robust security, large community.

  • Cons: High transaction fees and slower transaction speeds during high traffic.

Base

  • Pros: Environmentally friendly, lower transaction fees, faster transaction speeds.

  • Cons: Still emerging, not as widely adopted as Ethereum.

Arbitrum

  • Pros: Lower transaction costs, faster transaction speeds, greater scalability.

  • Cons: Less widely known compared to Ethereum.

Explanation for Beginners: Blockchains are like different types of roads. Ethereum is like a busy highway—reliable but can get congested and expensive. Base and Arbitrum are newer, less crowded roads with lower fees and faster speeds.

Creating Your Account, Contract, & minting NFTs on Transient Labs

  • Login to The Lab: Connect your wallet and fill out your profile.

  • Create a New Contract: Choose blockchain, enter contract details, select contract type, and set advanced options.

  • Deploy Your Contract: Review and deploy your contract.

  • Navigate to Contract Dashboard: Select your contract.

  • Create New Token: Enter token details, attributes, and tags.

  • Preview and Mint: Review and mint your token.

Explanation for Beginners: Your wallet is like a digital bank account used to store your cryptocurrencies and NFTs. A smart contract is like a digital agreement that governs the creation and transfer of NFTs. Transient Labs helps you set these up easily.

Step-by-Step Guide to Minting NFTs on Transient Labs

1. Create Your Account

  • Navigate to

  • The Lab

  • Click "Connect Wallet"

  • Connect the wallet you want to associate with your account

  • Sign the Sign-In-With-Ethereum message to prove ownership of the wallet

  • Fill out the required fields (username, display name, and email)

2. Create Your Smart Contract

  • After logging in, go to the contract dashboard

  • Click "Create New Contract"

  • Select your blockchain: Ethereum, Arbitrum, or Base

  • Enter the contract name and token symbol

  • Choose your contract type: ERC-721TL, ERC-1155TL, or ERC-7160

  • Set advanced options if needed: royalties, royalty recipient address, Blocklist, and Story Inscriptions

  • Deploy your contract

3. Mint Your First Token

  • After deploying your contract, navigate to the Contract Dashboard

  • Select the contract you want to mint tokens to

  • Click "Create New Token"

  • Fill out the General Information: Token Title, External Link, Description, and Token Media

  • Complete the attributes and tags for better discoverability

  • Enter the wallet address for the Token Recipients

  • Preview your token and make any necessary edits

  • Mint your token by clicking "Send Transaction"

Explanation for Beginners: "Minting" is the process of creating your NFT and registering it on the blockchain. Think of it as making your digital artwork official and unique.

Conclusion

Minting NFTs can be a transformative experience for digital creators. By following this guide, you can easily navigate the process on Transient Labs, ensuring you retain full ownership and control over your creations. Whether minting on Ethereum, Base, or Arbitrum, Transient Labs provides the tools and support you need to succeed in the NFT space.

For further assistance, don't hesitate to contact our team at The Lab. Happy minting!