Serif Normal Nylal 2 is a regular weight, normal width, high contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Clarion' and 'Ysobel' by Monotype, 'Century Old Style SH' by Scangraphic Digital Type Collection, 'Century Old Style Pro' by SoftMaker, and 'Century Old Style' by URW Type Foundry (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: book text, editorial, magazines, headlines, academic, classic, literary, formal, authoritative, text reading, editorial tone, classic refinement, traditional authority, bracketed, wedge serifs, oldstyle, calligraphic, bookish.
This serif shows strong stroke modulation with pronounced thick–thin contrast and smoothly bracketed serifs. The proportions feel traditionally bookish, with moderate counters and an even rhythm that holds together well across text. Terminals and joins often have a subtly calligraphic, slightly sheared feel, giving curves a lively, humanist flavor rather than a rigid, purely geometric construction. Lowercase forms read cleanly at paragraph scale, with sturdy vertical stems and rounded bowls that stay open without looking mechanical.
It performs well for book typography, essays, and editorial layouts where a conventional serif texture is desirable. The crisp contrast and firm serifs also make it a strong choice for headlines, pull quotes, and section titles that need a classic, reputable voice.
The overall tone is classic and literary, with a confident, cultivated presence suited to long-form reading and established editorial contexts. Its contrast and crisp serifs add a sense of formality and authority, while the gentle, oldstyle movement keeps it from feeling overly austere.
The design appears intended as a conventional, high-contrast text serif with an oldstyle underpinning: comfortable in continuous reading while offering enough sharpness and refinement for editorial hierarchy and display punctuation.
Capitals are stately and well-balanced, with a traditional silhouette that supports display use without losing a text-first character. Numerals appear robust and clear, matching the serif detailing and contrast of the letters for consistent texture in running text.