1. High-resolution photography
Use a quality camera to capture your physical artwork under even, neutral lighting. Avoid glare and shadows. You can take a picture at a high resolution to preserve details, then edit for clarity using tools like Photoshop or Procreate.
Community tip:
“Take photo and edit with Procreate.” (Reddit)
2. Professional scanning or 3D scanning
Flat artworks benefit from high-quality flatbed scanning (300 DPI or higher). Sculptures or textures might require 3D scanning or photogrammetry to capture depth and perspective. These methods yield crisp digital assets for NFT minting.
3. Cleaning & editing with Photoshop or Illustrator
After capture, refine the image remove backgrounds, clean rough edges, enhance colors, and vectorize if needed using Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. These edits ensure your artwork looks polished and platform-ready. (Adobe)
4. Use of mobile art apps (Procreate, GoART, SketchAR)
- Procreate (iPad) is ideal for touch-ups, coloring, or shading captured images.
- GoART uses AI to stylize images and includes built-in NFT minting tools.
- SketchAR offers AR & AI-assisted drawing, NFT templates, and minting support. (NFT Monk)
5. Ensure proper file formats & resolution
Export your digitized artwork in NFT-friendly formats like PNG, JPEG, GIF, SVG for images; MP4 for videos; ensure at least 300 DPI resolution for clarity. Match the size requirements for your chosen marketplace. (CCN.com, Fiverr.com)
6. Add content credentials or metadata
Embed metadata into your file (title, description, date, artist details, provenance) directly or within the NFT’s metadata layer. Adobe tools can help include content credentials that support authenticity. (Adobe, NFT Digitizer)
7. Create comprehensive metadata
When minting, complete metadata fields such as:
- Artwork title, description, creation date
- Artist statement or short biography
- Physical details (dimensions, medium)
- Provenance or authenticity notes
- Optional: unlockable content (e.g., high-res downloads, bonuses)
Such metadata supports discoverability and authenticity. (NFT Digitizer)
8. Mint via lazy or direct upload
Connect your crypto wallet (e.g., MetaMask), choose a supported blockchain (Ethereum, Polygon, Solana), and upload your digitized file. Some platforms offer “lazy minting,” where gas fees apply only on sale. (NFT Digitizer, Fiverr.com, BlockTech Solutions)
9. Use IPFS or Pinata for file hosting
Rather than uploading files directly to marketplaces, consider hosting your artwork on decentralized storage such as IPFS or Pinata. Then include the content ID (CID) in your NFT’s metadata for a secure, permanent record. (Reddit)
10. Engage with community & avoid scams
Join NFT communities on Discord, Twitter (X), or Reddit. Share your creative process, ask questions, and notify peers when your art is live. Beware of offers that ask you to pay upfront for “digitizing” artworks. You can do most steps yourself. Besides, your work is already digital if it appears on the computer screen. (Reddit)
Summary Table
| Step | Method | Benefits |
| 1 | High-res photography | Captures detail from physical artworks |
| 2 | Professional / 3D scanning | Ideal for depth, texture, or precision |
| 3 | Photoshop / Illustrator editing | Cleans and polishes digital image |
| 4 | Mobile art tools (Procreate, GoART, SketchAR) | Stylizes and prepares for quick minting |
| 5 | Correct file format & resolution | Ensures NFT marketplace compatibility |
| 6 | Content credentials & metadata embedding | Adds provenance and traceability |
| 7 | Comprehensive metadata during minting | Improves visibility and authenticity |
| 8 | Mint via wallet; consider lazy minting | Streamlines minting & reduces early costs |
| 9 | Host art via IPFS / Pinata | Preserves integrity and permanence |
| 10 | Join communities & stay vigilant | Gain support and avoid scams |
Sources
- Photoshop, Illustrator, metadata guidance: (Adobe)
- Mobile apps (GoART, SketchAR): (NFT Monk)
- File types and size insights: (CCN.com, Fiverr.com)
- Metadata details: (NFT Digitizer)
- Minting process & lazy minting: (NFT Digitizer, Fiverr.com, BlockTech Solutions)
- IPFS / Pinata hosting: (Reddit)
- Community advice & scam awareness: (Reddit)
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Traditional Art Meets Technology: Creating Art as a Digital Asset 