How to Launch an NFT on the Blockchain
Launching an NFT (non-fungible token) means turning your digital content—art, music, writing, or even a ticket—into a unique, ownable asset on the blockchain. Whether you’re an artist, a developer, or a brand, the process starts with choosing the right blockchain and understanding the type of NFT you’re creating.
Choosing a Blockchain
There are several blockchains you can use to mint NFTs. Each one has its pros and cons:
| Blockchain | What It Offers |
|---|---|
| Ethereum | Most popular, widely supported, high security, but gas fees can be expensive |
| Polygon | Low fees, eco-friendly, works with Ethereum apps |
| Solana | Fast transactions, low cost, growing ecosystem |
| Tezos | Eco-conscious and ideal for clean NFTs and generative art |
| Flow | Designed for games and collectibles (used by NBA Top Shot) |
| Avalanche | High speed, lower fees, supports Web3 projects |
| ApeChain | Community-driven and built for creative Web3 and NFT use cases |
| BNB Chain | Low fees, ideal for beginners or large-scale NFT drops |
Once you pick your blockchain, you’ll need:
A crypto wallet (like MetaMask or Phantom)
A platform to mint your NFT (like OpenSea, Magic Eden, Objkt, or custom smart contracts)
Different Types of NFTs
After choosing your blockchain and minting method, it’s helpful to know what kind of NFT you’re creating. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:
| Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Art NFTs | Digital artwork—can be still, animated, or change over time |
| Music NFTs | Songs or sounds you can own, sometimes with extras like concert access |
| Gaming NFTs | In-game items or characters you can buy, trade, or earn |
| Ticket NFTs | Digital passes for events, shows, or private access |
| Utility NFTs | Give special benefits like discounts, tools, or memberships |
| Photography NFTs | Digital photos sold as collectibles, usually in limited editions |
| Story NFTs | Digital books, poems, or comics turned into collectibles |
| Domain Name NFTs | Custom crypto web names (like .eth) for wallets or branding |
| Identity NFTs | Show your skills or achievements—non-transferable |
| Collectible NFTs | Digital avatars or characters used on social media or in online groups |
| Virtual Land NFTs | Digital land in virtual worlds that you can build on or sell |
🎯 Workflow to Launch an NFT Collection on Highlight (Series Format)
Launching an NFT collection on Highlight is a smooth process when you’re prepared. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you organize your assets and publish with confidence.
1. Prepare Your Art Assets
Finalize your artwork in
.png,.jpg,.jpeg, or.webpformatName files clearly and consistently (e.g.,
image-1.png,image-2.png)Place all image files into a folder named
images
2. Create Your Metadata
Each NFT should have a metadata entry that includes:
metadataId– a unique ID for each NFT (e.g., 1, 2, 3…)name– the title of the artworkdescription– a short story or context behind the pieceimageRef– matches the filename exactly (e.g.,"image-1.png")(Optional)
attributesortraits– for filtering or creative detail
💡 Highlight uses a single metadata.json file containing an array of metadata objects.
3. Build Your Folder Structure
Create one main folder with this exact structure:
✔️ Do:
Keep
metadata.jsonandimages/in the same root folderMatch all
imageRefnames with actual files exactlyUse lowercase letters and no spaces in file names
❌ Don’t:
Nest extra folders inside
images/Include files not referenced in metadata
Zip the folder that contains another zipped
images.zip
4. Zip the Files
Select both
metadata.jsonand theimages/folderRight-click and compress into a single
.zipfileYour ZIP should look like this inside:
5. Upload to Highlight
Choose Series format
Upload your
.zipfilePreview your collection to ensure images + metadata match
Set collection details: title, royalties, mint price, and launch timing
6. Publish and Promote
Once everything is finalized:
Highlight will provide your mint page link
Share it on your website, socials, and with collectors
Use embeddable mint buttons or QR codes for live events
💡 Pro Tips
Do a test run with 5–10 files before uploading the full collection
Keep backups of all files and metadata
Ask Highlight support or community if errors appear during upload
Include rich descriptions in metadata — they show on the mint page
Don’t forget to add a blog link or behind-the-scenes content!
