Sans Superellipse Oldum 5 is a bold, very narrow, low contrast, upright, tall x-height font visually similar to 'Fairweather' and 'Kaneda Gothic' by Dharma Type, 'Black Phantom Pro' by Salamahtype, and 'Bonnet Grotesque Nr' by astype (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, signage, packaging, labels, industrial, retro, utilitarian, handmade, playful, space saving, high impact, retro display, rugged clarity, friendly edge, condensed, rounded corners, soft terminals, ink-trap feel, punchy.
A condensed sans with rounded-rectangle construction and softly blunted terminals. Strokes are sturdy and even, with minimal contrast and a slightly uneven, inked texture that gives edges a subtly organic feel. Counters are compact and often vertically oriented, while curves read as superelliptical rather than perfectly circular. Spacing is fairly tight and the rhythm is tall and vertical, with occasional notch-like joins and small cut-ins that add a rugged, stamped character.
Best suited to display settings where a tall, condensed voice is needed—headlines, posters, storefront or wayfinding signage, and packaging/label systems. It also works for short UI labels or pull quotes when space is limited, though the dense proportions and textured edges are most effective at larger sizes.
The overall tone feels industrial and retro, like condensed lettering from packaging, signage, or stamped labels. Its softened corners keep it friendly, while the narrow, forceful silhouettes add urgency and grit. The slight irregularity reads as handmade rather than sterile, giving headlines a lively, streetwise energy.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum impact in narrow columns while retaining a soft, approachable outline. By combining compressed proportions with rounded-rectangle geometry and slightly rough detailing, it aims to evoke stamped or printed ephemera without sacrificing clarity.
Uppercase forms stay monoline and blocky, while the lowercase shows simple, sturdy shapes with compact bowls and short apertures. Numerals follow the same condensed, rounded-rectangle logic, maintaining strong presence in tight spaces and keeping a consistent vertical cadence across mixed text.