How to create an NFT collection

Introduction

This tutorial will explain how to create a new NFT collection and deploy the collection onchain. For listing this NFT for sale on your website, see https://support.curios.com/v1/docs/how-to-list-an-nft-collection-for-sale.

Create an NFT Collection

In the admin tool, under Assets, you will find all the tools necssary to manage your NFTs including the tools to create them.

To create your first NFT click + New NFT Collection

In the SMART CONTRACT dropdown menu, select the + Create New option.

This action will reveal the Smart Contract Creation form.

What is a Smart Contract?
Smart Contracts are pre-coded contracts that are held on the blockchain. Smart Contracts manage an NFT collection by creating the actual NFTs, tracking the information held by the NFTs, and tracking the ownership of NFTs for an NFT collection. An NFT collection requires a Smart Contract be created.

Make a Blockchain Selection

To proceed, click Select Blockchain / Token Format to view available options. You will need to select which blockchain you would like to deploy the smart contract on, as well as the token format.

Blockchain Breakdown

ERC721: Standard format for NFTs, a great choice for almost all collections

ERC721a: Has the same features as ERC-721, but offers a special code to optimize for high gas intensive mints.

ERC1155: Good for creating multiple collections from a single smart contract, and for creating tokens that have fungibility.

Blockchains available include Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, Solana, Casper, Palm, and more. If a desired blockchain is not listed, please contact support@curios.com.

Enter a Smart Contract Symbol

Next, you'll need to type in your SMART CONTRACT SYMBOL.

A Smart Contract Symbol, is a "code" for your collection. This helps with providing differentiation between similar collections, and with searchability on blockchain explorers.

Enter a Smart Contract Title

In the Smart Contract Title field type in what you would like your NFT collection to be named.

Enter a Smart Contract Description

A Smart Contract Description is good for detailing what the NFT is, what it may unlock, or what organizations this NFT is a part of. This information is onchain and will live with the NFT in perpetuity. Note: This is not a good area for marketing information about the sale or mint of the NFT

Select Mintage Type

Using the dropdown menu, select the Mintage Type you would like to use for your NFT collection:

Mintage Types Breakdown

Unique (1 of 1): used for single NFTs, where the entire smart contract is dedicated to one token. When this option is selected, the quantity field will automatically default to 1.

Limited (up to 10,000 editions): used for tokens with multiple NFTs per collection. This works for both generative art collections and non-generative art collections. If you select this option, you'll need to enter the amount of tokens you want available for your collection.

Open (unlimited): used for NFTs where the max quantity is unknown or not applicable. When this option is selected, the quantity field will automatically default to 0.

Unsure of what mintage type/quantity to select? Click here for additional guidance on token strategy to consider for your NFT collection.

Enter Your NFT Collection Details

While this next section contains largely the same fields as the Smart Contracts section above, the details you enter here will be displayed on the frontend marketplace. With that in mind, you may want to include more marketing-minded details. Additionally, the information under NFT Marketing Details can be edited at any time, even after the Smart Contract has been deployed.

Once all of your details are entered, click Save and Continue to proceed with the creation and deployment of your Smart Contract.

Review Your NFT Collection Details

Next, you will be directed to a global NFT detail page which provides you with an overview of your collection, prior to finalization. Carefully review your entries and make edits where necessary before proceeding–remember, once a Smart Contract is deployed, the Smart Contract details can no longer be edited. Display and Marketing Information can be edited at any time, even once a Smart Contract is deployed.

Before You Deploy Your Contract

Prior to deploying your Smart Contract, there are two important actions you will need to complete.

1. Tying an Art Asset to Your Smart Contract

Generative art projects require additional Curios support. If you have this type of project, please contact support@curios.com before proceeding.

Tying an art asset to your NFT Collection first requires that you upload an image or a GIF to the PREVIEW FILES section of the NFT global detail page. This process must be completed before the asset can be tied to your Smart Contract.

Upload your file, and click SAVE CHANGES.

Once your file is saved to the PREVIEW FILE section, you may now Select File in the Smart Contract detail area.

You will be redirected to a new page where you will need to select your uploaded image to represent your NFT collection on the blockchain. Your selection will be the primary image publically associated with this collection across any NFT marketplace and wallet. In the dropdown, select your preferred file and click Save Changes.

2. Creating Attributes

Lastly, click +Add Attributes in the Smart Contract Details section to set attributes for this NFT collection. You can set both the Label and the Value for this NFT. Attributes are optional, but they are beneficial in differentiating one NFT collection from another.

Deploy Your Smart Contract

Remember to edit your Smart Contract details as needed before completing this step, but once you are ready to deploy because a Smart Contract is deployed, it can no longer be edited. If no edits are needed and you are ready to deploy your Smart Contract, click the Deploy Smart Contract button in the Smart Contract Details section of your overview. This action deploys your Smart Contract information to the blockchain and makes your NFT collection ready for selling, minting, or airdropping.