Picking the right file format is a crucial part of creating quality NFTs. On Mintable, your NFT file can be of any image file format, a MPEG-4 video file, or a GLB file. You can also add up to 3GB of bonus content in any file format, as a downloadable file. You have a lot of freedom to choose file formats when minting an NFT, but why does it matter what NFT file format you use?
Why Do NFT File Formats Matter?
File formats define the type and structure of data in your files, and how they are displayed. The file format you use will affect the quality and usability of your file, so it’s important to choose the right one.
The best file format for your NFT depends on what it will be used for. There are also some cases in which including different formats in your NFT’s bonus downloadable file may be valuable. This guide will help you choose the best file format for your NFT, based on its design and applications.
Digital Art
Best File Format for NFT Art:
PNG stands for Portable Networks Graphics. The PNG file format is the best one to use for your NFT art because it can be viewed on any browser in high quality. It supports transparency, has lossless compression, and works better for complex graphic images than JPEG files.
JPEG files are the commonly used image file format on the internet, because they allow the creation of smaller files than PNG. For your NFT artwork, however, this isn’t very important. On Mintable, you can upload files up to 300MB in size for your NFT, so you don’t need to worry about keeping file sizes small.
Focus on quality, and don’t use JPEG files. Using a PNG file will ensure that your NFT listing looks the best it can, and provide buyers with a nice, high-quality image of your art.
Bonus Downloadable Image File Formats:
For Printing
The TIFF file format is the best for printing. If you’re selling an artwork without physical copies, you can instead provide a TIFF file. Export your work as a TIFF, and include it in the downloadable file of your NFT to create added value.
TIFF files shouldn’t be used as your NFT’s main image, because they are not supported by all browsers. They also tend to be quite large, so it’s better to put them in the NFT’s downloadable file, which can contain up to 3GB of content.
For Editing
EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript and is a vector image file format. Image data isn’t stored in a bitmap, but rather as a set of proportional formulas that connect curves and points in an image. This means that unlike raster images (png, jpeg, tiff, etc), vector images can be resized as much as you want without losing quality.
EPS is compatible with most vector graphic programs, which makes it the most suitable way to distribute vector files of your NFT. If you want to make it easy for your art to be edited and used in other projects, consider including an EPS file.
Music and Videos
Best File Format for NFT Music and Videos:
MP4 is the most commonly used video format. It is supported by most operating systems and media platforms, which makes it easy to view and distribute.
Due to its good quality, compression, and additional features, MP4s are the recommended file format for NFT videos. While MP4 doesn’t offer the highest quality among video formats, it has a high degree of compression that makes it very portable. It can also contain metadata used to enable user interaction.
Using an MP4 video for your music NFT is also advised because it adds a visual element to your listing, making it more attractive. This is an opportunity for you to display your awesome album art and visually entice buyers.
Bonus Downloadable Music File Formats:
To make things easy for your buyers, you could include an MP3 in your music NFT’s downloadable file. MP3s are compact, and will play on any player, on any device.
If you want to include a hi-fidelity file, use the FLAC or ALAC file formats. Both formats are very similar, but FLAC is windows compatible, while ALAC can be used on iOS.
3D Artwork
Best File Format for 3D Art NFT:
GLB is a 3D image file format that supports animation and movement, and is the only one that contains a full PBR shader and textures. It is a single-file format that makes viewing easy and is more lightweight than other 3D file formats. GLB is also an open source format that is compatible with most 3D software.
GLB files are best for web and mobile applications – and best for NFTs. It is a compact and easily accessible 3D file format that still contains comprehensive rendering data.
Bonus Downloadable 3D File Format:
If you’re selling a 3D artwork, and would like to include its design file for additive manufacturing (3D printing), add a 3MF in the downloadable file. 3MF files contain a comprehensive data package, are easily shareable, and largely error-free, making them the best file format for 3D printing.
For more tips, visit Sellers’ University – where you can learn best practices on NFT creation and marketing from some of the most credible names in the industry – for free!
Label vectors created by alvaro_cabrera – freepik.com
