ERC-1155 is the multi-token standard: one contract manages many token types, and each type can be unique or have thousands of identical copies. That makes it a natural fit for game items, event tickets, editions of artwork, loyalty rewards and any project with many kinds of tokens. Instead of deploying a contract per item, you add a new token ID.
Why Teams Choose ERC-1155
- Fungible and non-fungible in one contract: 10,000 gold coins and one legendary sword can live side by side.
- Batch operations: transferring or minting many token types in one transaction, which saves a lot of gas compared to separate transfers.
- Efficient metadata: one URI template with the token ID filled in, instead of a stored URI per token.
- Lower deployment costs: one contract for an entire catalogue of items.
Differences to Plan For
ERC-1155 has no ownerOf: a token ID can have many holders, so "who owns item 42" is answered by balances and indexed transfer events, not by one call. Approvals are all-or-nothing per operator. Every transfer, including batch transfers, calls the receiving contract if it is one, so the same reentrancy care applies as with ERC-721 safe transfers. And while major marketplaces support ERC-1155, some tools and wallets display it less well than ERC-721, which is worth checking for your audience.
What We Build
- ERC-1155 contracts with supply limits per token ID, mint phases and role-based minting.
- Editions and tickets with per-ID pricing, redemption and burn mechanics.
- Game economies where items are crafted, upgraded or consumed on-chain.
- Royalties through ERC-2981 and metadata on IPFS.
Frequently Asked Questions about ERC-1155
Is ERC-1155 cheaper than ERC-721?
For batches and items with many copies, usually yes, because one transaction can mint or move many tokens. For a collection of unique items minted one by one, the difference is smaller.
Can an ERC-1155 token be unique?
Yes. A token ID with a supply of one behaves like a unique NFT. Many projects mix unique and fungible IDs in the same contract.
Do marketplaces support ERC-1155?
The major ones do. We check support in the specific wallets and marketplaces your users rely on before choosing. See also NFT marketplace development.
Who owns the code?
Ownership of the source code is set out in the contract, and the code can be fully yours, including documentation and tests.
Part of our work on Ethereum standards (EIPs and ERCs) and smart contract development.
Design Your Multi-Token System
Tell us which items or tokens you need and how they are created and used. We will design an ERC-1155 contract that fits.