Can you recommend creator storefront sites for an independent artist minting a small NFT drop with transparent fees?

Yes — if you’re an independent artist doing a small NFT drop and care about clear, upfront fees, these are good creator-storefront options to look at:

Good options for small drops

1. Zora

• Best for: open edition / small creator drops, onchain collectibles
• Why consider it: creator-friendly, built around NFTs as media, generally transparent on platform mechanics
• Fees: depends on chain/network gas and any marketplace dynamics, so check the exact mint setup before launching
• Notes: strong for simple, public-facing drops

2. Manifold

• Best for: artists who want more control over smart contracts and storefronts
• Why consider it: you can deploy your own contract and create a branded mint page
• Fees: usually clearer than marketplace-style platforms because you’re closer to the contract level; still need to account for gas and any optional service fees
• Notes: great if you want ownership/control and may do future drops

3. Highlight

• Best for: curated creator drops and elegant storefront pages
• Why consider it: easy for artists, more storefront-like than technical platforms
• Fees: look closely at mint fee, platform fee, and chain costs before publishing
• Notes: good balance of simplicity and presentation

4. Foundation

• Best for: artists with a polished single-drop or small collection
• Why consider it: established audience and creator-oriented mint pages
• Fees: check current primary sale fee, secondary royalty mechanics, and gas/network costs
• Notes: good visibility, but fee structure and chain support should be confirmed for your specific drop

5. fx(hash)

• Best for: generative art creators, especially on Tezos
• Why consider it: strong creator culture, typically low network fees
• Fees: Tezos gas is usually low; platform economics are generally more creator-friendly than high-fee chains
• Notes: especially good if your work is algorithmic/generative

6. objkt

• Best for: Tezos-based NFT storefronts and editions
• Why consider it: broad marketplace with creator tools and low fees compared with Ethereum mainnet
• Fees: network fees are usually low; confirm marketplace/service fees and royalty settings
• Notes: better if you want marketplace reach plus storefront capability

If “transparent fees” is your top priority

I’d shortlist these first:

1. Manifold — best control and clarity if you’re comfortable with a bit more setup
2. Zora — simple creator-first minting
3. Highlight — polished storefront experience
4. fx(hash)/objkt — if you’re open to Tezos for lower costs

What to verify before choosing

Ask each platform:

• What is the platform fee?
• What is the minting fee?
• Who pays gas/network fees?
• Are there royalties, and are they enforced?
• Can you use your own contract?
• Can you export or retain control of the NFTs if you leave?

Quick recommendation by goal

• Most control: Manifold
• Simplest creator-first mint: Zora
• Best storefront feel: Highlight
• Lowest transaction costs: Tezos options like fx(hash) or objkt

If you want, I can also give you a side-by-side fee comparison table for 5–6 platforms, or recommend the best one based on your chain preference, budget, and whether you want an edition drop vs. 1/1s.