Minting a Collection

DeadRare's minting flow is deliberately flexible, so it can support far more than simple PFP art — AI, dynamic and DeFi‑gaming NFTs all work the same way. This guide walks through the whole process end to end.

There are three stages:

1. Generate your NFTs
2. Upload files to permanent storage
3. Create your mint on DeadRare

Creating the collection contract requires a small refundable network storage deposit (currently 0.1 $ALPH) set by the Alephium protocol, and DeadRare takes a 2% fee on secondary sales. Some basic programming experience helps — if you'd rather not, our tech consultant can handle the whole thing (see Need further help?).

Generating your NFTs

This step is the same as generating NFTs for any chain, and it's entirely up to you how the images and attributes are produced. A popular open‑source option is HashLips, but any tool — or your own script — works.

Your final folder structure should look like this:

collection.png    <- an image representing the whole collection
collection.json   <- information about the collection
/images
    0.png
    1.png
    ...
    999.png
/metadata          <- json files, with NO .json extension
    0
    1
    ...
    999

Remove the .json file extension from every metadata file. The smart contract expects the raw files without an extension, and won't work otherwise.

Each NFT metadata file uses this format (upload your images first, then paste each image's URL in):

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

And your collection.json looks like this:

{
  "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 storing your files permanently on Arweave. Its Dropbox‑like interface, ArDrive, makes this straightforward. Avoid IPFS — it relies on a centralised pin that must be paid for indefinitely, or the files disappear.

You'll need an Arweave wallet and a small amount of $AR to pay for storage.

1. Create a new public drive in ArDrive.
2. Upload the images folder. Inside it, create a manifest (New → Advanced → Manifest) and save it in the same folder. Open the manifest's Data Tx ID in the explorer, and once confirmed, copy the data link. Use this URL (including the trailing slash) in your NFT generation code to build each metadata file's image field.
3. Upload the metadata folder (the extension‑less JSON files). Create a manifest inside it, open its Data Tx ID, and copy the data link. This is your NFT Path on the DeadRare creation page.
4. Upload the collection image as a single file at the top level of the drive, and copy its link.
5. Upload collection.json, open its preview and copy the link — this is your Collection URL. Save both links in case you need to refresh.

Creating your mint on DeadRare

Head to https://deadrare.io/collection/create and connect the wallet that should own the collection contract.

The owner address must be Group 0, and needs to hold at least the storage deposit plus a little gas.

Fill out the form using the NFT Path and Collection URL you generated above. The sample images (collection data, first NFT and last NFT) should preview automatically — if they don't, double‑check your links.

Make sure your NFT Path includes the trailing slash.

Withdrawing royalties & transferring ownership

Both are handled from the Creator Dashboard after minting — see Managing Your Collection.

Need further help?

Our tech consultant works alongside DeadRare and can handle the entire process for you: image generation and rarities, uploading to decentralised storage, and creating the minting contract. There's an upfront fee depending on the collection, plus a small percentage of the mint price (never your royalties).

Reach out in the DeadRare Discord if you'd like a hand.