Sans Superellipse Etbas 4 is a bold, narrow, low contrast, italic, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Swiss 721' by Bitstream; 'Newhouse DT' by DTP Types; 'Helen Bg' by HS Fonts; 'Helvetica', 'Neue Helvetica', and 'Neue Helvetica Paneuropean' by Linotype; 'CG Triumvirate' by Monotype; and 'Nimbus Sans Novus' by URW Type Foundry (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, sports branding, packaging, signage, sporty, urgent, modern, assertive, technical, impact, speed, space saving, modern utility, branding, slanted, compact, rounded corners, ink-trap hints, high impact.
This typeface is a compact, slanted sans with heavy, even strokes and softly squared (superelliptical) curves. The shapes feel condensed and forward-leaning, with tight interior counters and short apertures that keep the silhouettes dense. Terminals are mostly blunt with subtly rounded corners, and several joins show slight notches or ink-trap-like cut-ins that help maintain clarity at bold weights. Numerals and capitals share the same compressed, engineered rhythm, producing a strong, uniform color in lines of text.
It performs best in display settings where a dense, high-contrast-in-mass texture is desirable—headlines, posters, sports and performance-oriented branding, and bold promotional copy. The compact width makes it useful when space is limited, while the sturdy construction keeps letterforms readable at medium-to-large sizes in signage and packaging.
The overall tone is energetic and forceful, with a motion-forward slant that reads as fast and competitive. Its compact heft gives it a no-nonsense, high-impact voice suited to attention-grabbing messaging rather than quiet neutrality. The rounded-rectangle construction adds a contemporary, industrial polish.
The design appears intended to deliver a fast, compact display voice: a slanted, heavy sans built from rounded-rectilinear geometry to project speed, strength, and contemporary utility. The slight join cut-ins suggest an aim to preserve counters and definition under heavy weight and tight spacing.
Capitals are tall and blocky with squared-off bowls and diagonals that feel tightly controlled. Lowercase forms are similarly compact, with single-storey shapes where present and minimal calligraphic modulation. Spacing in the sample text appears intentionally tight to keep lines cohesive and punchy.