Still wondering how to sell nft art online? One NFT by Beeple sold for $69 million. But even lesser-known artists are making real income—some earn passive royalties from just a few smart uploads.
When I minted my first NFT back in 2021, I had no idea how to price it, market it, or even which platform to trust. After trial, error, and a few expensive mistakes, I’ve sold my art on OpenSea, Rarible, and Foundation — each with its own pros and cons.
This guide walks you through every step: from creating digital art and setting up your wallet, to minting, listing, and promoting your NFT.
No tech jargon. No crypto confusion. Just actionable steps with real examples, artist quotes, and trusted resources.
If you’re planning to mint your AI work as NFTs, don’t miss our deep dive into AI Art Legality & Copyright — it explains what’s allowed and what might get you into trouble.
Want to turn your art into income?
To sell art as an NFT in 2025, you need to digitize your work, choose a blockchain like Ethereum or Polygon, create a crypto wallet, mint the NFT on a marketplace like OpenSea, and list it for sale.
You can sell for a fixed price or through auctions—plus earn royalties every time your art resells.
[Scroll down for step-by-step instructions, real artist tips, and best marketplaces ↓]
Before choosing a platform to mint, check which AI art generators produce NFT-ready quality without sign-ups.
What Is NFT Art & Why It Still Matters in 2025
NFT art refers to digital artworks that are minted as Non-Fungible Tokens—unique digital assets recorded on a blockchain. Each NFT proves ownership and authenticity of a piece of art, even though the file itself can be viewed or downloaded by anyone.
In 2025, NFT art still holds value due to:
- Royalties: Artists earn a percentage each time their NFT resells.
- Global Reach: You can sell to collectors worldwide, no gallery needed.
- Proof of Ownership: The blockchain verifies it’s yours.
Did You Know?
In Q1 2024, NFT art trading volume exceeded $250 million, according to NonFungible.com.
Example:
An artist known as FEWOCiOUS sold $2M worth of digital paintings as NFTs before turning 20. His collectors included major brands and museums.
Reddit Insight:
“Even if the hype has cooled, serious collectors and niche communities still actively trade art NFTs.”
→ See discussion on r/NFT
Prepare Your Artwork for NFT Minting
Before jumping into the world of NFTs, make sure your art is ready—technically and creatively.
Step 1: Finalize Your Concept
Think about what you want to say with your art. Is it a one-off piece or part of a series? Are you expressing a theme, meme, movement, or moment?
“NFT collectors love storytelling. If your piece has a deeper meaning or a strong vibe, it’s more likely to get noticed.”
— Artist reply on r/NFTArt
Step 2: Format It Digitally
Convert your artwork into one of the most accepted NFT formats:
- Images: JPG, PNG, SVG
- Animations: GIF, MP4
- Audio: MP3, WAV
- 3D Art: GLB, OBJ
Want to start with something fast and stunning? Check our tested list of AI anime art generators that even beginners can use to create sellable art.
Keep the file size under 100MB to avoid upload issues on most platforms.
What If It’s Physical Art?
Scan or photograph it in high resolution. Use apps like Adobe Scan or even DSLR cameras to capture detail.
“I turned my sketchbook into NFTs by scanning pages, adding digital color, and animating them slightly. They sold out.”
— Quora artist on “How do I sell hand-drawn NFTs?”
How to Sell NFT Art Online
Now let’s follow the steps…
Choose the Right Blockchain and Marketplace
Before you mint, you need to decide where your NFT will live and where you’ll sell it. This choice affects everything—fees, visibility, resale value, and audience.
Step 1: Pick a Blockchain
Most NFT art is minted on:
- Ethereum (ETH) – Most popular, widely supported, but gas fees can be high
- Polygon (MATIC) – Low fees, eco-friendly, OpenSea-compatible
- Solana (SOL) – Fast and low-cost, used by newer marketplaces
Beginner Tip: If you’re new, Polygon on OpenSea is a great way to start for free with “lazy minting.”
Step 2: Choose a Marketplace
Each platform has its own community, tools, and vibe. Here are the top picks for artists:
| Marketplace | Good For | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| OpenSea | All levels | 2.5% |
| Rarible | Community-focused, multi-chain | 2.5% |
| Foundation | High-end curated art | 5% |
| Objkt | Tezos-based NFTs | Low fees |
“I listed my art on OpenSea and Rarible to test the waters. Rarible brought more niche collectors, while OpenSea had better reach.”
— Artist tip from Reddit’s r/NFT
Set Up Your Digital Wallet (Your NFT Passport)
To interact with any NFT marketplace, you’ll need a crypto wallet—a secure app that stores your digital assets and lets you sign blockchain transactions.
Step 1: Choose a Wallet
Here are a few beginner-friendly options that work with top NFT platforms:
- MetaMask (browser extension & mobile app)
- Coinbase Wallet (easy setup for beginners)
- Trust Wallet (mobile-only)
Tip: If you’re new, MetaMask is the most widely accepted and simple to start with.
Step 2: Fund Your Wallet
NFT platforms charge gas fees (small transaction fees), especially on Ethereum.
You’ll need to buy some cryptocurrency to mint or sell NFTs.
- Use an exchange like Coinbase or Binance
- Buy ETH, MATIC, or SOL depending on your chosen blockchain
- Transfer crypto from exchange to your wallet
Always double-check wallet addresses when sending funds—blockchain transactions can’t be reversed.
Quick Reminder:
Don’t share your seed phrase with anyone. It’s the master key to your wallet. If someone has it, they have everything.
“A fake Discord mod got my wallet keys. I lost 0.2 ETH just like that.”
— Comment on r/CryptoScamsPick an NFT Marketplace
Once your art is ready and your wallet is set up, it’s time to choose where to sell. and how to sell nft art online.
Here are the top NFT marketplaces artists are using in 2025:
Platform Best For Notes OpenSea All-purpose Huge user base, supports Ethereum & Polygon. Rarible Easy listing Offers lazy minting—you only pay gas when it sells. SuperRare High-end art Curated platform for digital fine artists. FxHash Generative art Built on Tezos, popular with code-based artists. Reddit Insight:
“I listed on OpenSea first, but Rarible’s lazy minting saved me gas fees.”
→ See thread on r/NFTsMarketplacePro Tip:
Start with OpenSea or Rarible if you’re new. SuperRare has an application process and isn’t ideal for first-time sellers.
Minting and Listing Your NFT
Now that your artwork’s ready, it’s time to mint it—aka, turn it into a digital token on the blockchain.
What Is Minting?
Minting is the process of uploading your art to a blockchain, creating a unique NFT that proves it’s yours. Once minted, your file gets a permanent spot in the crypto world.
How to Mint (Step-by-Step)
Connect Your Wallet:
Visit your chosen marketplace (like OpenSea, Rarible, or Zora) and link your wallet—MetaMask, Coinbase, or another supported option.
Upload Your Art:
Select “Create NFT” or “Mint New Item.” Upload your file and make sure it matches the platform’s format and size guidelines.
Fill in the Details:
Title & Description: Keep it short, punchy, and meaningful.
Properties: Add traits like rarity, color, or type (great for collections).
Royalties: Set your percentage (usually 5–10%) to earn from resales.
Choose Minting Type:
Lazy Minting: No upfront gas fee—only paid when the NFT sells.
On-Chain Minting: You pay the gas fees upfront, but your NFT is instantly active.
“I always use lazy minting on OpenSea—zero cost to list and better for new artists.”
— Commenter on Reddit: r/NFTsMarketplace
Listing Your NFT
Once minted, you can list your NFT for sale by choosing:
- Fixed Price: Set a price in ETH, MATIC, or another token.
- Auction: Set a reserve or starting price and bidding duration.
You’ll also see platform fees (e.g., OpenSea takes 2.5% of the final sale price).
Pro Tip:
Use trending tags or categories when listing—like “AI art”, “generative art”, or “1/1 original”—to boost discovery.
List Your NFT for Sale
Options:
- Fixed Price
- Auction (timed or reserve)
Include: - How to price
- How to time your drop
- Example of a successful listing
How much should I sell my NFT art for?
Start small ($10–$100) to build a reputation. High-value NFTs typically come from artists with an audience.
Timing Your Drop
The best drops often happen:
- Weekdays, 11 AM–3 PM EST — active hours in both U.S. and European markets.
- During trending moments or events (e.g., art weeks, NFT calendar promotions).
Use tools like NFT Calendar to time your launch when traffic is highest.
Real Example
An emerging artist named “PixelMancer” listed their animated GIFs at 0.01 ETH ($25), shared it on Twitter with art threads, and got picked up by a Discord collector group—selling out a full collection in under 48 hours.
Bonus tip: Mention royalties (e.g., “10% royalty on resales”) clearly in your listing description.
Promote Your NFT Collection
Minting your art is just the start — you’ll need to get eyes on it if you want that first sale.
Where to Promote
Social Media:
Start with Twitter (X) — still the top hangout for NFT artists and collectors. Use hashtags like #NFTart, #NFTCommunity, and tag popular NFT accounts when relevant.
Instagram:
Share behind-the-scenes videos or time-lapse clips. Reels and Stories help build trust.
Discord:
Join NFT artist communities. Many marketplaces and projects have dedicated Discord servers where you can connect with buyers and other creators.
NFT Calendars & Newsletters:
Get listed on platforms like NFTCalendar.io to announce your drop. Some collectors browse these daily.
Real Example
“I got my first sale by showing my work every day on Twitter with #nftart. I also joined small Discord groups to talk about my process — that built real connections.”
→ See artist tips on Reddit
Tools to Try
Linktree — Create a single bio link for all your marketplaces, portfolio, and social channels.
Premint — Useful if you’re building a whitelist or want to reward early supporters.
Tip: Focus on genuine engagement. Collectors can tell when followers or likes are fake.
Get Paid & Withdraw Earnings
Congrats — your NFT sold! So how do you turn that crypto into real money you can spend?
Convert Crypto to Cash
When your NFT sells, you’ll get paid in the crypto of your blockchain:
- Ethereum (ETH) for Ethereum-based marketplaces
- MATIC for Polygon
- SOL for Solana
You can keep your earnings in crypto, or convert them to USD (or your local currency).
How to Cash Out
- Transfer to a Trusted Exchange
Send your crypto from your wallet (like MetaMask or Phantom) to a reliable exchange.
Popular options include:- Binance
- Coinbase
- Sell for Fiat Currency
Once your crypto is on the exchange, trade it for USD, EUR, GBP, etc. Then withdraw to your bank account.
Taxes & Legal Stuff
NFT income counts as taxable income in many countries.
- Track your profits and any expenses (gas fees, listing fees).
- Save for taxes at the end of the year.
Official Reference:
Check the IRS Digital Assets FAQs for the latest U.S. tax guidelines. Always check your local rules if you’re outside the U.S.
FAQ & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Still have questions? You’re not alone. Here are answers to what many new NFT artists ask—and the common slip-ups to steer clear of.
Can I sell AI-generated art as an NFT?
Yes—but it depends on the platform and legal usage. Many NFT marketplaces allow AI-generated art, as long as you have the rights to it.
⚠️ If you used tools like Midjourney or DALL·E, check their terms of use first. Some restrict commercial rights depending on your subscription tier.
Reddit Insight:
“I had to prove I owned full rights to my AI work before it was approved on SuperRare.”
→ View the thread
What if someone copies my NFT art?
The NFT token can’t be duplicated—but your artwork file can be copied, just like anything else online. That’s why many artists:
Watermark low-res previews
Use Content Authenticity Initiative tools
Report fakes on marketplaces (most have a takedown process)
“My NFT was stolen and re-uploaded. OpenSea took it down after I proved it was mine.”
— Artist reply on Quora
Do I keep the copyright after selling an NFT?
Usually, yes. Selling an NFT transfers ownership of that token, not the full rights to the art unless you specifically include that in the sale terms.
📌 Unless you write in the description: “Buyer owns full rights,” you still hold the copyright.
Can I turn NFT sales into cash?
Yes! After a sale:
You receive crypto (like ETH or SOL) in your wallet
You can swap crypto for USD via exchanges like Coinbase or Binance
Withdraw it to your bank
💬 “My first sale was $200 in ETH. I converted it to cash and paid rent.”
— New seller on r/NFTsMarketplace
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not researching copyright/licensing rules
- Using copyrighted music/images in your NFT
- Overpricing with no collector base
- Minting on obscure platforms with no resale visibility
- Forgetting to promote your listing—just minting isn’t enough
Ready to Go Further?
- Not sure where to list your NFT? Compare the best platforms here:
👉 Choose the Best NFT Marketplace for Artists - 💡 Want more smart strategies from the NFT and crypto world?
👉 Visit our Blog for the Latest Guides
Adrian Smith is a Web3 strategist and lead writer at CryptoBrandHub.com, with 8+ years of experience in crypto marketing, NFT monetization, and DeFi tools. He helps creators and investors navigate the fast-changing world of blockchain with practical, research-backed insights.
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