What Does It Mean to "MINT" an NFT?

Minting refers to the process of publishing a Token on the blockchain for the first time, which makes it purchasable. This process requires paying a minting fee. Once this fee is paid, future sales of the NFT can be made without having to go through this minting process again. Technically, there is a way to offer an NFT for sale for the first time without having to mint it. Due to the expense of minting, artists often use a process called “Lazy Minting”. When an NFT is offered for sale using this method, it is not actually minted until it is purchased. The buyer then pays the “GAS” fees associated with minting the NFT in his own wallet.