# Minting a Collection

### Want to mint on DeadRare?

We have designed our minting progress to be as flexible as possible so that we can support a wide range of possible NFT use-cases and not just simple art projects.\
\
To do this you will need some **basic programming experience**. If you do not, we have a Tech Consultant who can do the whole process for you. Please see [#need-further-help](#need-further-help "mention")\
\
Here is a summary of the steps involved:

1. [#generating-your-nfts](#generating-your-nfts "mention")
2. [#upload-files-to-permanent-storage](#upload-files-to-permanent-storage "mention")
3. [#creating-your-mint-on-deadrare](#creating-your-mint-on-deadrare "mention")

{% hint style="info" %}
It costs 1 $ALPH to create a smart contract on the Alephium blockchain. This is the network storage fee and is set by the Alephium core team. The $ALPH is stored in the smart contract.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Please also note that DeadRare takes a 2% fee for using their website.
{% endhint %}

### **Generating Your NFTs**

This part is the same as creating NFTs for any blockchain. It will require basic programming experience and is really up to you on how you want the images and attributes to be generated.\
\
We advising using this open source NFT generation program to generate your NFT's: HashLips 2.0 (<https://lab.hashlips.io/docs>). However you can use whatever program you like or even program it yourself!\
\
The final folder structure should look like this:

{% hint style="warning" %}
Make sure you remove the .json file extension for all of your NFT metadata files otherwise the Smart Contract won't work!
{% endhint %}

```
collection.png <- an image to represent your whole collection
collection.json <- information about your collection
/images
    0.png
    1.png
    ....
    999.png
/metadata <- json files
    0
    1
    ...
    999
```

Each JSON file for the NFT metadata should have this format:

{% hint style="info" %}
Notice that you will need to upload your images to storage first, then substitute your base image url into each JSON file
{% endhint %}

```json
{
  "image": "https://arweave.net/NOzIJbUavzpTQqBY0tjBualFWZkNRhxK7o8MF2SgGP4/0.png",
  "name": "DRGN 1",
  "attributes": [
    {
      "trait_type": "Background",
      "value": "Solitary Star"
    },
    {
      "trait_type": "Body",
      "value": "Moss"
    }
  ]
}
```

Your collection.json file should have this format:

```json
{
  "image": "https://arweave.net/4sh8KBAW2ivkNUxYfv74xzGjBsZdO7HYam3fQRQ6s3Y",
  "name": "DRGN",
  "description": "DRGN is a generative art project and the first NFT collection on the Alephium blockchain."
}
```

### Upload files to permanent Storage

We recommend you use Arweave Blockchain to store your files permanently. They have an easy to use Dropbox-like UI called ArDrive (<https://ardrive.io/>). You should avoid using IPFS because it requires a centralised pin which the project owner must keep paying for or the files will disappear.

1. Create a new **public** drive in ArDrive. Please note you will an Arweave wallet and a small amount of $AR to store the files on ArDrive.&#x20;
2. Upload the folder of generated images. (New -> Upload folder). Inside this images folder on ArDrive, create a new manifest (New -> Advanced -> Manifest). Save it inside the images folder. Go to the manifest (it will be on the last page within the folder), click Data Tx ID (open in explorer). Once the transaction has been confirmed, right click on the link :link: symbol next to ‘data’, and copy the link address. Use this URL (including the trailing slash) in the NFT generation code, to create the metadata for the PNG's.
3. Upload this new folder of JSON metadata to a new folder in ArDrive. Create a manifest inside this metadata folder on ArDrive. Go to the manifest (last page), click Data Tx ID (open in explorer). Right click on link :link: symbol next to ‘data’, and copy the link address. Save it somewhere. This is the link for 'NFT Path' on the DeadRare collection creation page.&#x20;
4. Upload the collection image as a singular image to ArDrive (top level inside the collection drive). Click on preview, copy the link (without server computer number).&#x20;
5. Upload collection.json to ArDrive. Click preview, and get the link. This is the 'Collection URL' link for DeadRare. Paste it into the form under 'Collection URL'. Save both of these links incase you need to refresh. The sample images (Collection Data, First NFT and Last NFT) should now be displayed on the form. If they are not, there is an error. Please see Figure 1 for an example of how it should look.

### Creating your Mint on Deadrare

Go to <https://deadrare.io/collection/create>.&#x20;

Connect with a new or existing wallet (this wallet will own the project smart contract).

{% hint style="warning" %}
The address you wish to create the collection with **must be Group 0**.
{% endhint %}

It costs 1 $ALPH to create the smart contract, therefore the wallet you wish to use must contain at least 1 $ALPH in order to create the collection. Remember to allow for gas fees. \\

Fill out the form, with the links you have generated from steps 3 and 5 above.&#x20;

{% hint style="warning" %}
Make sure your the NFT Path **includes the trailing slash**
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://2001384151-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZ3rmrvlJLlYY01YQr3Dx%2Fuploads%2FtCODr9FANroVooY8J29u%2FScreenshot%202023-11-21%20at%2020.05.56.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d7eae51c-d145-453e-be27-705c0bb3f08e" alt=""><figcaption><p>Figure 1: Correct creation form.</p></figcaption></figure>

### Withdrawing ALPH

Please see [#withdraw](https://docs.deadrare.io/update-an-existing-mint#withdraw "mention")

### Transferring contract ownership

Please see [#change-owner](https://docs.deadrare.io/update-an-existing-mint#change-owner "mention")

### Need further help?&#x20;

Smasher works alongside DeadRare as a Tech Consultant for minting, handling:

* image generation and rarities
* uploading images and json to decentralised storage
* creating the minting contract

She charges an upfront fee depending on collection type, and a small % of the mint price for her service (mint price only, not from royalties).&#x20;

Please contact @smasher in the DeadRare discord if you need assistance with minting.

<https://discord.gg/PfQ5Ks2acr>

#### Importing a collection

If you've created a collection elsewhere, please use the converter to convert&#x20;
