Slab Contrasted Ihwu 7 is a very bold, wide, low contrast, italic, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Gimbal Egyptian' by AVP, 'FF Kievit Slab' by FontFont, 'Calanda' by Hoftype, 'TheSerif' by LucasFonts, 'Open Serif' by Matteson Typographics, and 'Bodoni Egyptian Pro' by Shinntype (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, packaging, sports branding, book covers, assertive, retro, sporty, editorial, punchy, emphasis, impact, movement, nostalgia, authority, bracketed, ink-trap hints, compact counters, ball terminals, curved slabs.
A heavy, right-leaning slab serif with broad proportions and a sturdy, compact rhythm. Serifs are blocky yet softly bracketed, often curling into wedge-like feet that give the strokes a sculpted, cut-in feel. The italic construction is clearly drawn (not simply slanted), with lively curves and tightened joins that create small, dark apertures in letters like a, e, and s. Uppercase forms are substantial and stable, while the lowercase shows energetic terminals and a slightly compressed interior space that increases impact at display sizes. Numerals are equally weighty and rounded, with strong foot serifs and a consistent forward motion across the set.
Best suited to short, high-impact settings such as headlines, display typography, posters, and campaign graphics where its weight and italic momentum can read as intentional emphasis. It can also work well for packaging, label design, and bold editorial callouts, especially when a retro-slanted slab voice is desired.
The overall tone is confident and kinetic, pairing classic slab authority with a vintage, poster-like swagger. Its bold, leaning silhouettes suggest speed and emphasis, making it feel at home in headlines that want to sound decisive, muscular, and a bit nostalgic.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum presence with a forward-driving italic stance while retaining the grounded authority of slab serifs. It balances sturdy, wide letterforms with sculpted brackets and tight interiors to produce a bold, attention-grabbing display texture.
The design maintains a consistent dark color and strong word-shape, with noticeable tightening in counters and joins that contributes to a dense, ink-friendly texture. The italic angle and bracketed slabs together create a distinctive “carved” finish, especially on letters with pronounced feet and shoulders.