NFTs for Artists: How They Work, Where to Mint, and What to Watch Out For
If you’re an artist in 2025, you’ve undoubtedly heard the buzz (and backlash) about NFTs. Perhaps you’ve seen fellow artists sell NFTs of their work for eye-popping prices, or conversely, stories of artists getting scammed or struggling to sell even one. It’s a lot to take in. I’m not here to hype or bash, but to give you a no-nonsense, artist-to-artist rundown of NFTs: how they work, where you can mint them, the scams and pitfalls to avoid, and whether jumping on the NFT bandwagon is worth your time.
No fluff, no techno-babble, and definitely no promises that you’ll retire to a private island by selling tokenized doodles. Let’s dive in.
What Exactly Is an NFT (Quick Refresher)
NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token. In plain English, it’s a unique digital certificate registered on a blockchain (like Ethereum, Tezos, Solana, etc.) that proves ownership of a digital item – in our case, usually a piece of digital art. Think of it like a digital receipt or authenticity certificate. The art itself might be a JPEG, GIF, 3D model, etc., but the NFT is the token that says “Person X owns this original (or one of limited editions)”. Non-fungible means it’s one-of-a-kind; it’s not interchangeable like one Bitcoin for another – each NFT has unique identifiers.
An analogy: If you have a rare trading card, the card is unique and you can trade or sell it. An NFT is like a digital trading card of your art, with a record of who owns it logged on the blockchain.
Importantly, owning an NFT of an artwork does not automatically mean owning copyright or full control of the image (unless explicitly transferred). It just means owning that token which is linked to the artwork. You as the artist typically still retain copyright (unless you decide to sell/give it). NFT ownership is about bragging rights, supporting artists, or speculative flipping – depending on the buyer.
How NFTs Work for Artists
Minting: As an artist, you “mint” an NFT by uploading your artwork to an NFT marketplace or platform and following their process to create a token on the blockchain. Minting is essentially publishing that token to the blockchain, which often involves a transaction fee.
Blockchain & Fees: On Ethereum, this involves paying a “gas” fee (network transaction fee) which can be pricey (hundreds of dollars during peak times in the past). Newer solutions or other chains have reduced this cost (for example, Polygon or Tezos have low fees). The token contains metadata that usually points to the artwork file (which might be stored on IPFS or another server).
Listing for Sale: Once minted, you can list your NFT for sale. This could be a fixed price or an auction. If someone buys it, they pay (in cryptocurrency) and the blockchain records the transfer of the NFT to their wallet.
Royalties: Many platforms allow you to set a royalty (e.g., 10%) so that if the collector resells your NFT later, you automatically get a cut of the secondary sale. This is one cool artist-friendly feature that traditional art markets don’t easily provide.
Ownership and Viewing: The buyer owns the NFT in their crypto wallet. They can view the art (which is usually just a regular digital file) and presumably enjoy it or brag online about it. Anyone can still see the image if it’s online – that’s the tricky part: people often ask “Why pay if you can right-click-save?” The value is in provable ownership, not the ability to view the image. It’s like how anyone can buy a poster of the Mona Lisa, but only one museum has the original – and that provenance matters to people (at least to NFT collectors/investors).
So that’s the process in a nutshell.
Where to Mint and Sell Your NFTs
There are dozens of platforms now. Choosing one depends on what community you want to reach, what fees you can afford, and what blockchains align with your values (e.g., environmental concerns).
Here are some of the major ones (as of 2025):
OpenSea: The largest NFT marketplace, primarily on Ethereum (with support for Polygon and other networks). It’s like the eBay of NFTs – massive, generalist, everything from fine art to trading cards. You can do “lazy minting” there which means you don’t pay an upfront fee to mint; the first buyer basically triggers the mint on purchase (saving you cost).
Foundation: Ethereum-based, more curated or art-focused. You usually need an invite to join as an artist. Tends to have more of an art-gallery vibe (visual art, illustration, etc., rather than random memes).
Objkt.com / Teia (Tezos marketplaces): Tezos has become popular for artists due to low fees and a community vibe. Objkt is a leading marketplace there. Minting costs pennies, and Tezos prides itself on being energy-efficient (so artists concerned about climate gravitated here).
SuperRare, KnownOrigin: High-end curated platforms. Getting accepted might require an application. These target serious collectors and often only allow one-of-one art pieces.
Mintable and Rarible: Open platforms on Ethereum (and other chains). Rarible also introduced its own token and has a community governance aspect.
Solana platforms (e.g., Magic Eden): Solana’s NFT scene grew with collectibles but some artists use it. Low fees, fast transactions. (Though Solana had some network reliability issues historically, it’s still chugging along).
Manifold: Not a marketplace, but a tool that allows you to deploy your own smart contract for NFTs (on Ethereum). It’s more for advanced users who want full control and then they can sell on OpenSea etc. It became popular with artists who want their own contract (branding and independence).
If you’re starting out:
Tezos marketplaces (Objkt) are very user-friendly and cheap to use. A lot of indie artists started there (the culture from the old “Hic et Nunc” platform lives on at Objkt/Teia).
OpenSea is easy too; you just connect a wallet and start listing, but Ethereum gas fees might surprise you if not using Polygon.
Polygon on OpenSea is nearly free to mint, but Polygon NFT community is smaller than Ethereum’s.
Wallet Needed: To use any of these, you’ll need a crypto wallet. For Ethereum/Polygon, Metamask is common. For Tezos, something like Temple or Kukai. Setting those up is beyond scope here, but just know you will interact with these platforms through a wallet.
Costs and Considerations
Minting/Listing Fees: On Ethereum mainnet, be prepared for possibly high gas fees to mint (though since 2022, Ethereum moved to proof-of-stake which reduced energy use drastically, but gas fees still depend on network usage). On Tezos, Solana, etc., fees are minimal. Some platforms like OpenSea’s “lazy minting” mean you pay no fee until sale, but the trade-off is slightly higher commission.
Marketplace Commission: OpenSea takes 2.5% on sales, Foundation takes 15% on primary sales, etc. Each platform has its cut. Read the fine print.
Currencies: You’ll likely list in ETH on Ethereum marketplaces (or in XTZ on Tezos, etc.). For a buyer to purchase, they’ll need that crypto. Some platforms now allow using credit cards (which then handle crypto behind scenes), but mostly it’s crypto to crypto. Converting your earnings to USD (if you want to) means using an exchange to cash out.
Avoiding Scams and Pitfalls
Where money flows, scammers follow – and NFTs are no exception. As artists, here’s what to watch out for:
“Mint this on our site, we’ll buy it” Scams: This is common. You post art on Instagram or Twitter, then someone messages: “Loved your art! I want to buy it as an NFT, please mint it on [sketchy website].” That website may be a trap – either to steal your crypto or just non-functional. Legit collectors typically buy where you are, not force you to an unknown platform. If someone wants you to mint on some obscure platform you’ve never heard of as a condition of purchase, be very cautious. It could be a phishing site aiming to hack your wallet. Never enter your wallet seed phrase anywhere (that’s a huge red flag – real sites/wallets never ask for that except when you yourself are restoring a wallet).
Fake Buyers / Overpayment scam: Another one: a “buyer” offers to pay you directly (outside a marketplace) an absurd amount and asks for your wallet or sends a check etc. Stick to established marketplaces or if doing private sales, wait for funds cleared – but even then, crypto transactions are safer since irreversible when confirmed. If someone says they accidentally sent you too much and ask for refund – double-check because that can be a con using stolen cards.
Phishing and Wallet Security: Always check you’re on the correct site (scammers create lookalike OpenSea URLs for example). Use 2-factor authentication where possible. Never share your wallet’s seed phrase – I repeat because it’s that important. So many have lost everything by being tricked into entering their recovery phrase on a fake site.
Art Theft: Unfortunately, people might steal art (right-click-save your image) and mint it themselves. As an artist, you have to patrol a bit. If you find your art stolen as NFT, you can file DMCA takedowns with the marketplaces – they do respond to that usually. Some artists periodically search for their name or artwork titles on marketplaces to catch this. It’s annoying, but part of the current reality.
Project Scams: If you get into larger NFT projects (generative collections etc.), research thoroughly. Many NFT projects in 2021-2022 turned out to be “rugpulls” (founders took the money and ran) or just fizzled. If you collaborate or do work for an NFT project promising you future payoff, be cautious. Also avoid Ponzi-like schemes (if something promises you guaranteed returns, be skeptical).
Pump-and-Dump and Market Volatility: The NFT market is extremely volatile. Prices can be irrational. An artwork that sells for 1 ETH one month could resell for 0.2 ETH later or vice versa depending on hype. Also realize, by 2024, a huge percentage of NFTs became worthless or illiquid. Don’t bank your rent on quick NFT riches – the hype phase cooled off and many collections died out. Surviving and thriving NFTs often have strong communities or real artistic merit, but even those are no guarantee.
Tools for Minting and Managing NFTs
Gas Fee Trackers: If you’re on Ethereum, use sites like ETH Gas Station or Blocknative to see when gas is low (so you mint cheaper).
Portfolio Trackers: If you start selling NFTs, you might accumulate crypto in various wallets. Tools like Zerion or Debank can help track your portfolio.
IPFS for storage: Some platforms auto-use IPFS (decentralized storage) for your art file. If you mint on your own, consider storing your file on IPFS or another permanent storage (so that the NFT isn’t pointing to a link that might break).
Manifold Studio: For Ethereum artists, this is a user-friendly app to mint on your own contract for free (you still pay gas). Good for one-of-one or small edition art without intermediary.
Discord (with Caution): NFT communities live on Twitter and Discord. If you join Discord groups of collectors or platforms, never click random links DM’d to you. Scammers often impersonate mods and send fake “you won a prize, connect wallet here” DMs.
Are NFTs Worth It for Artists?
The big question. And the answer is: It depends on your goals and your audience.
Potential Benefits:
You can monetize digital art in a way that wasn’t as straightforward before. If you do digital illustrations, 3D art, animations – NFTs create a market for “owning” those in a collectible sense.
Global reach: NFT marketplaces and Twitter communities are worldwide. Artists from anywhere can directly sell to collectors without gatekeepers (no gallery commission of 50%).
Royalties on resales mean if your work becomes more valuable over time, you continue to benefit.
Some artists have built strong communities around their NFT art – essentially patrons who support their work long-term.
Challenges:
Oversaturation: When everyone jumped in, marketplaces got flooded. Standing out is hard. You can’t just “mint it and they will come.” It often requires marketing, networking, being active in the community to get noticed.
Volatility: Crypto prices fluctuate. You might sell a piece for 0.1 ETH (which was $300 at sale), but by cash-out time that could be $150 or $600. It’s unpredictable. By the way, yes, you have to consider tax too; in many places, crypto sales are taxable events. Keep records.
Ethical/Environmental Concerns: Early on, the environmental impact of proof-of-work blockchains (like pre-2022 Ethereum) was a hot topic; Ethereum’s shift to proof-of-stake cut energy use by >99%. Other chains were already efficient. So the carbon footprint argument is less aimed at individual artists now, but you might still hear some criticism or skepticism from your followers or other artists about the NFT space (there was a lot of backlash in artist communities in 2021). It’s something to be prepared for if you announce doing NFTs – have your perspective ready on why you’re doing it and maybe choose an eco-friendly platform to mitigate that.
Scams and Stress: As covered, dealing with crypto security and constant vigilance can be draining.
Worth It? If you already have a following who is interested in buying your digital work, NFTs can offer them a way. If you’re unknown, you’ll have to grind to build a presence in the NFT art community (lots of Twitter engagement, maybe participating in collaborations or themed drops). It’s not a golden ticket just by itself.
Also consider why do you want to mint NFTs:
To make a quick buck? You might be disappointed; yes some made bank, many did not – especially now that the initial gold rush is over.
To offer something new to your supporters? Then make sure you add value – e.g., maybe NFT owners get a high-res download or a physical print, or just your continued interaction which many collectors value.
To experiment with tech? Sure, go for it, but maybe start on a low-cost chain so you’re not burning money to play around.
Some artists decide to try a small drop (like 5-10 pieces) to test waters. That’s a reasonable approach. Price modestly at first; it’s better to have a few collectors on board who get a deal and become fans, than to price sky-high and not sell anything.
Keep your expectations measured. The NFT market of 2021 (with random memes selling for millions) is not the norm anymore. The market matured (and crashed a bit). Now it’s more akin to traditional art/collectibles market, just with blockchain tech enabling it.
Final Thoughts
NFTs opened a new path for digital artists to earn money and for collectors to support and trade art. It’s not without issues – scams exist, the market is volatile, and public sentiment swings between “NFTs are the future” and “NFTs are a scam” seemingly every other month. The truth is somewhere in between: NFTs are a tool. They can be used well or poorly.
If you choose to step into this world:
Do your research (which you’re doing right now, so kudos).
Engage honestly: build genuine connections rather than just shilling your work non-stop. The community can tell.
Stay safe: double-check everything before you click.
Be adaptable: maybe your first drop doesn’t sell – that’s okay, learn from it, improve your approach or presentation.
Whether NFTs are “worth it” for you is ultimately something only you can decide, weighing the time/effort against potential reward and alignment with your values. Some artists find a wonderful supportive community and decent income, others decide it’s not for them after trying.
Whatever you do, don’t feel like you have to jump on NFTs because of FOMO. They’ll be around (in some form) if and when you’re ready. And if you do jump in, you now have a solid primer to navigate this digital art frontier a bit more safely and smartly. Good luck, and may your art find the audience it deserves – tokenized or not.
Sources: As an aside for the curious, reports in 2024 showed that about 96% of NFTs became effectively worthless after the hype died down. So always approach this space with realistic expectations and a healthy dose of caution. Stay creative and stay safe!
The Artist’s Guide to Print-On-Demand and Merch: How to Get Started and Make It Work
Selling your art on t-shirts, mugs, and stickers, without ever dealing with a single box of inventory in your apartment – sounds like a dream, right? That’s the promise of Print-On-Demand (POD) services. As an artist, you’ve probably seen folks on Instagram or at conventions with cool merch of their art, and you might be wondering how to jump in, or if it’s even worth the effort. I’ve been down this road, and I’m here to share a straightforward, practical guide on POD and merch for artists: how to set it up, tips on pricing, choosing products, the quality to expect, and pitfalls to watch out for.
No BS, no “passive income guru” talk – just real talk on making merch as an artist.