Slab Contrasted Ibfa 9 is a very bold, wide, low contrast, italic, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Bluteau Slab' by DSType; 'Equip Slab' by Hoftype; 'Sybilla', 'Sybilla Multiverse', and 'Sybilla Pro' by Karandash; and 'Tabac Slab' by Suitcase Type Foundry (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: posters, headlines, sports branding, packaging, signage, athletic, retro, confident, loud, playful, impact, motion, retro branding, headline strength, sports tone, slab serif, bracketed slabs, rounded joins, tight apertures, bulky forms.
A heavy, forward-leaning slab serif with chunky, bracketed slabs and broadly rounded corners that soften the otherwise blocky construction. Strokes are dense and fairly even, with subtle modulation and strong, squared terminals that read clearly at display sizes. Counters are compact and apertures tend to be tight, giving letters a packed, poster-like texture; widths vary by glyph but the overall set maintains a consistent, weighty rhythm. The numerals follow the same sturdy, athletic build, with generous curves and blunt, stable endings.
Best suited to display applications where weight and motion are an advantage—posters, event graphics, sports and team identities, punchy editorial headlines, and attention-grabbing packaging. It can also work for short subheads or callouts, especially where a retro or athletic flavor is desired.
The tone is energetic and extroverted, evoking vintage sports graphics, bold headlines, and mid-century advertising. Its pronounced slabbiness and italic push create a sense of motion and confidence, while the rounded shaping keeps it friendly rather than severe.
The font appears designed to deliver maximum impact with a dynamic slanted stance, combining sturdy slab serifs with rounded, approachable shaping. Its compact counters and dense color suggest an emphasis on bold, attention-forward typography for branding and headline-driven layouts.
The design favors impact over airiness: internal spaces stay small and strokes stay thick, producing a dark color on the page. In longer lines it creates a strong, continuous texture, making it feel most at home when used in short bursts and prominent placements.