Unlocking On-Chain Artistry: Exploring ZeroContract for NFTs on Tezos
When it comes to minting NFTs, most people use IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) to store metadata and assets. It’s a popular option, but it’s not the only one. On-chain minting offers an alternative approach by storing everything directly on the blockchain. While this method can ensure permanence and independence, it’s not without its trade-offs — like higher costs for larger files.
ZeroContract is one tool that makes on-chain minting more accessible. It might not be for everyone, but in certain cases, it could be exactly what you need. Let’s take a closer look.
What is ZeroContract?
ZeroContract is a tool that allows creators mint fully on-chain NFTs. Developed by Jestem Zero, it makes the process of embedding all NFT data directly into the blockchain possible. This means no reliance on external storage solutions like IPFS, what you mint stays on-chain, forever.
That said, storing everything on-chain can get expensive, especially for big files. This is why ZeroContract shines in specific scenarios, like when you’re minting smaller files or when permanence is your top priority.
On its own, ZeroContract is a tool that requires people to interact directly with smart contracts, something that is not easy for everyday users though. Thankfully, the community has created some guides and a front end to simplify the process and make it easier for everyone.
Guides and Front Ends
If you’re curious about trying ZeroContract, the Tezos community has some great resources to help you get started:
Retro Manni’s YouTube Guide: Retro Manni, an active community member, created a video guide as soon as ZeroContract was released to guide other community members in exploring the new tool. In this video guide, he walks you through using ZeroContract step-by-step. It’s designed for beginners, so even if you’re new to on-chain minting, you’ll find it easy to follow. The video includes examples and tools to help you navigate even some of the more tricky tasks.
James Lee’s Front-End Interface: James Lee created a front-end interface for ZeroContract that simplifies the entire process. Instead of working directly with smart contracts, you can use an intuitive interface that handles the technical stuff for you. Here’s how it works based on James’s own instructions:
Start on the Generate Contract Page: Begin by connecting your wallet and creating a contract on the “generate contract” page. Once deployed, this contract will appear as an NFT collection on Objkt.com.
Deploy Your Contract: After successfully deploying your contract, copy the contract address. Head over to the mint/burn/transfer page to start your first mint. Once minted, your NFTs may take up to 30 seconds to appear on Objkt, refresh the page if necessary. Be sure to save your contract address for future use.
List Your NFT for Sale: Once minted, you can list your NFTs for sale on Objkt.com.
Important Tips:
On-chain minting has higher gas fees due to storing data directly in the contract’s storage, so plan accordingly.
You can test everything on Ghostnet before moving to the mainnet. You can test the process on Ghostnet here and mint on the mainnet here.
These resources make ZeroContract a more approachable option for anyone interested in exploring on-chain minting and I personally think it’s something worth exploring if you are an artist minting on Tezos.
The Tezos community never ceases to amaze me with the tools they’re building and the effort they put into making those tools accessible. ZeroContract is a great example of this — offering a way to mint fully on-chain while giving creators the resources they need to explore it easily. Thanks to Retro Manni’s guide and James Lee’s front-end interface, even if you’re not a blockchain pro, you can take a look and see how it works.
So, if you’re an artist or just curious about on-chain minting, why not give it a go? Test it out, see what works for you, and maybe even create something truly unique. The Tezos blockchain is here to stay, and so is your art when it’s on-chain.
Minting Onchain with ZeroContract was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
