Launch a collection from zero
From a folder of artwork to a complete Gorbagana collection on Junkheap. Follow these steps in order and keep the organizer mint and your asset manifest safe.
Before you start
- Backpack connected to Gorbagana and enough GOR for network fees and rent.
- Artwork you own or have permission to mint, hosted at stable image URLs.
- A finalized trait list and a manifest connecting each image to its traits.
- A dedicated creator wallet whose address will identify this collection.
Prepare in bulk. Mint one at a time today.
Artwork generation, image hosting, and minting are three separate steps. You can batch the first two with the tools below. The current Junkheap Create page still requires a separate form entry and mint approval for each member NFT.
- Generate the set: combine your layers and export a numbered folder of finished images with their traits.
- Upload the folder: use a storage provider's bulk upload, then save each image URL in your CSV or JSON manifest.
- Mint the members: use the same organizer address for every member, and record each confirmed mint. There is currently no folder importer or bulk mint queue in Junkheap.
For a 10,000-piece launch, manual minting is a substantial commitment. Test a small set first and account for the time, approvals, fees, and rent for the full supply. A bulk storage upload does not mint the NFTs.
- 01
Define the collection
Choose a concept, supply, name, symbol, visual style, and creator royalty before minting anything. Decide who owns the artwork rights and which wallet will control the collection. Junkheap groups a collection by its Metaplex update authority, so use one dedicated creator wallet for this collection. Budget GOR for each mint's network fee and account rent.
- 02
Plan and make the artwork
Choose a consistent canvas size and export a finished image for every NFT. For layered art, prepare backgrounds and each visual layer, define the allowed combinations, render the full set, and inspect samples and edge cases. Remove duplicate outputs unless duplicates are intentional. Keep a numbered master list linking each image to its intended name and traits. Junkheap accepts finished artwork URLs; it does not generate or batch-render the images.
Useful tools
- Krita (opens in a new tab)A free drawing app for making your artwork and transparent trait layers.
- Bueno Generator (opens in a new tab)A visual, no-code option for combining layers, setting rarity rules, and exporting images and metadata. Check export pricing before generating your full supply.
- HashLips Lab Art Engine (opens in a new tab)A code-based option for generating art from layers. Best for developers; the current engine is described as early development.
- 03
Lock the trait catalogue
Write the complete list of trait names and allowed values before you create the organizer NFT. Junkheap supports up to six trait names, with up to 255 distinct values for each. For example, Background could allow Ash, Neon, and Gold; Eyes could allow Sleepy and Laser. Check spelling and capitalization against your artwork manifest. The catalogue is permanent once the collection is created, so do not reorder values later. A generator's metadata export can help you prepare this manifest, but Junkheap does not currently import those JSON files.
Useful tools
- Bueno metadata guide (opens in a new tab)Understand the names and attributes in a generated collection, then match them to your Junkheap trait catalogue.
- 04
Upload and check the assets
Upload your finished artwork as a folder using a storage provider's bulk tools; you do not need to upload 10,000 files individually. Each NFT still needs its own stable, publicly readable image URL. For an IPFS folder, that can be ipfs://YOUR_CID/001.png, then 002.png, and so on. Check the files and URLs against your manifest before minting. Keep IPFS content pinned and avoid private, expiring, or login-only links. A ZIP download is not an NFT image URL: publish the extracted images. Back up your sources and manifest. Junkheap stores your signed metadata; the images remain at the URLs you supply.
Useful tools
- Pinata upload guide (opens in a new tab)Host public images on IPFS. Check storage limits and keep the content pinned.
- Pinata large-folder guide (opens in a new tab)For large collections, prepare a folder with a local IPFS node and pin its CID with Pinata.
- ArDrive NFT storage guide (opens in a new tab)An alternative for storing artwork on Arweave. Use public files and check the upload cost before committing.
- 05
Mint the collection organizer
Connect Backpack on Gorbagana and open Create collection. Enter the collection name, symbol, description, cover image URL, category, royalty, and complete trait catalogue. The name is limited to 32 UTF-8 bytes, the symbol to 10, and the royalty to 0–10%. Review the details carefully: published metadata and on-chain metadata are immutable. Approve the metadata signature, then open Backpack and approve the fresh mint transaction promptly. Wait for confirmation and save the organizer mint address.
- 06
Mint the member NFTs
On Create, choose Mint single NFT and paste the organizer mint as Parent collection mint. Use the same creator wallet. For each member, enter its own name, image URL, description, and traits from the permanent catalogue, then publish and approve the mint. The mint transaction verifies its membership in the sized collection. Record the resulting mint address in your manifest. Repeat for the full supply; the current Create page mints one member at a time.
- 07
Submit the launch to Junkheap
Return to the confirmed organizer receipt and select Check and launch collection. Sign the submission with the creator wallet. Junkheap reads the finalized organizer, its immutable metadata, on-chain marketplace registration, and pinned collection identity. When all checks pass, it appears in Explore as Unverified and its eligible member NFTs can trade. The registered creator wallet receives a Creator badge beside its name or address. This identifies its role; it is separate from collection verification and does not mean endorsement. If registration is pending, follow the receipt's status and use Retry launch check after the required transaction confirms. Keep the receipt and organizer address for support.
- 08
Check trading readiness and list
The Unverified label describes the creator's verification status; it does not stop trading. Each member NFT still needs verified Metaplex membership and its marketplace attestation, which the indexer prepares after launch. Use Index for marketplace from your member receipt if it is not yet visible. Once the item appears in your profile, set a GOR price, approve the listing in Backpack, and check the live listing. Buyers can purchase and make offers through the normal flow. Review the collection and NFT yourself before trading.
These are independent tools for preparing and hosting assets. Their prices and limits can change. Use Junkheap for Gorbagana minting and launch checks; a tool's Ethereum or Solana minting feature does not establish Gorbagana compatibility.
Make a minting worksheet
Keep one row per finished NFT before you start minting. The organizer has its own cover image; members each need their own image and exact trait values. A simple worksheet can look like this:
| # | Name | Image URL | Background | Eyes | Mint address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Trash Fox #001 | ipfs://YOUR_CID/001.png | Ash | Laser | Fill after mint |
| 002 | Trash Fox #002 | ipfs://YOUR_CID/002.png | Gold | Sleepy | Fill after mint |
For layered art, render every planned combination and inspect the exported files at full size. Keep file names stable so the row, artwork, and minted NFT never drift apart. The collection is complete when every planned member has been minted and its address is recorded.
If something is still pending
- Organizer submission is pending: check the organizer receipt and any registration transaction, then use Retry launch check once it confirms. An older organizer may request its own registration transaction. If the receipt says registration is paused, wait until it reopens; minting another organizer will not resolve the pause.
- A member is missing: confirm its mint transaction, verified parent collection, image URL, and trait spelling. Use Index for marketplace from the member receipt and allow the attestation worker to catch up.
- Listing is unavailable: check that the collection appears in Explore, the member appears under your connected wallet, and marketplace trading is open. A Verified badge is not required for a registered Unverified collection.
Ready to build?
Start with the organizer NFT, then mint members using its address. After on-chain registration and the launch check pass, Explore shows your collection as Unverified and its eligible members can trade.