Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, have taken the world by storm. There are plenty of online NFT marketplaces that sell digital collectibles, but what do you do once you have purchased your NFT art? Unlike physical art, NFTs are not tangible assets. So the question many collectors and investors have is, “can NFTs be printed?”
Today, we’re answering this question alongside taking a look at printing NFT art, how it can be done, and where alternative display options you may have.
Before we dive into answering the question, “can NFTs be printed?” let’s first talk about whether or not NFTs are considered digital art. The answer is that yes, some NFTs are considered digital art, but not all digital art is NFTs. Similarly, not all NFTs contain digital art, as NFTs can be tokens for art, text, music, memes, animations, videos, and more.
What is an NFT, you’re wondering? NFTs are non-fungible tokens. Fungible is defined as something that is replaceable or interchangeable; a real asset with monetary value. With NFTs, each one is unique and cannot be replaced or exchanged for another. While NFTs can be a variety of different things, NFT marketplaces are overwhelmingly filled with digital artworks that only exist in virtual space.
Buying an NFT is similar to buying traditional art, but instead of receiving physical artwork, you acquire a corresponding image file located in a digital wallet that is stored behind digital passwords known as private keys. Private keys are simply digital passwords leading to the location of your NFT collection on the blockchain records.
Digital art, also sometimes called computer art, refers to works of art that are created using software on electronic devices like computers, laptops, or tablets. Digital artwork refers to any media created on software, including things like drawings, illustrations, videos, or animations. One popular type of digital art is wallpapers. Within this digital art example, buying anime art wallpapers are some of the most popular, accounting for hundreds of thousands of created works!
Does this mean that NFTs are digital art? Yes and no. NFTs can be digital art, but not all digital art is an NFT. One of the biggest differences here is that digital art can be copied and shared between people, whereas NFTs cannot. Let's take a closer look at the differences between NFTs and digital artwork.
NFTs are assets on the Ethereum blockchain, though other blockchains have begun implementing their own versions of NFTs over time. The most common standard tokens used are ERC-20 and ERC-721, with ERC-721 being used for NFTs. Another of the most recent standards is the ERC-1155, which gives NFTs and digital collectibles a broad range of utility, including items that operate in a number of different apps and games. These tokens are a new and evolving way for people from all over the world to buy the rights to digital art.
NFT tokens contain a file embedded in them. This file can be an image file, artwork, text, music, photograph, or even a game key. Some NFTs are linked to physical assets or perks, as well. This link, known as NFT utility, is a contributing factor to what makes an NFT valuable. It refers to the amount of value an NFT has in relation to any physical assets and perks the token comes with.
Marking another prime difference between NFTs vs digital art, the latter can have an infinite number of copies. There is no means of proving ownership, and this type of art is not linked to the blockchain. Digital art is mostly freely accessible online and is a digital file all can access.
Now that you’ve gotten a better understanding of the differences between NFTs vs. digital art, let’s explore the question, “can NFTs be printed?” Before printing an NFT, you first have to prove that you have ownership of the NFT artwork. After proving ownership, printing NFT art is relatively easy and you can get to creating a beautiful NFT art gallery wall!
Just because you can show proof of ownership, however, doesn’t mean printing NFT art is always allowed. While most NFTs are viewed online and purchased from online sources, not all NFT creators allow NFTs to be printed as physical art.
Let's look at how you can print your NFT artwork while considering factors such as:
Just because you own an NFT, however, doesn’t necessarily mean you necessarily have full ownership of the intellectual property (IP) rights. NFTs can come with a smart contract clearly outlining what rights the owner of that NFT has as well as how the owner can use the NFT. Each NFT is different and will depend on the terms of the attached contract.
For example, the creator minting an NFT may only transfer ownership of the art content with the purchase of the NFT, not the IP rights. If the contract does not transfer the ownership of IP rights, then the NFT may have limited usage rights when it comes to printing it on products that may be resold.
It’s crucial that an NFT owner reads the contract and makes sure that they have ownership and IP rights of the digital asset if they intend to use it for their own products in any way. Otherwise, they risk copyright infringement complications.
As you’re exploring answers to the question, “can NFTs be printed?” you will probably also begin wondering what you might be able to print your NFT on! If you’ve confirmed ownership rights to the NFT and its IP, the options are seemingly endless. Sure, many owners enjoy printing an NFT to hang on the wall, but what about other ideas?
Some of our favorite ways for printing NFT art that go beyond traditional wall prints are:
These aren’t even all the options to choose from! If you’re thinking about printing NFT art that you’ve purchased, get creative and experience your artwork to the fullest.
For printing NFT art, of course you want to use a high-resolution version. This will give you a crisp, clean finish without blurry lines or pixelation.
When viewing NFT artwork digitally, the artist may supply a thumbnail or low-resolution image of the NFT. In order to unlock a high-resolution version of the digital artwork, you have to purchase the NFT. Of course, not all artists will provide hi-res images, though to remain competitive in the NFT marketplace, many do. Once you’ve purchased the NFT, you may receive an unlock code or other method for downloading a hi-res version. Keep in mind, the resolution of the NFT will influence the print quality if you decide to start printing NFT art.
With the popularity of NFTs increasing all across the digital world, many companies and online stores have popped up offering NFT printing services for hi-res NFT art.
From specialized sites for printing NFT art to local .
When it comes to printing NFT art, it’s great to support your local printers, as well. Although it’s easy to find online printing sites, local printers in your area may also be able to offer you the services you need while you help your community thrive.
It’s always a wonderful thing to support small businesses in our local areas. A quick online search for your suburb, town, or city, along with the words "NFT printing" can help you find a local business that can print an NFT for you.
What if you want to display your art without printing it? You can! Digital art frames allow NFTs to be displayed in static form without having to print the artwork. You can use multiple digital frames to display your NFT collection or use a single frame to alternate or create a slideshow from the artwork within.
Other options include sharing your curated NFT collection on online sites like UCOLLEX. This platform gives you the opportunity to share your NFT artwork or peruse the collections of others.
Now that you’ve gotten the answer to the question, “can NFTs be printed?” and seen a variety of ways for printing NFT art, it’s time to dive right in! Collecting NFT art can be an incredibly rewarding (and even potentially lucrative) experience. Printing an NFT, however, takes that experience to the next level and allows you to experience your digital artwork in real life. Find your next NFT purchase and enjoy!