Serif Contrasted Uphe 11 is a regular weight, wide, very high contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Cardillac' by Hoftype and 'Acta Display', 'Acta Pro Display', and 'Prumo Display' by Monotype (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, magazine titles, fashion branding, book covers, posters, editorial, luxury, fashion, dramatic, refined, editorial impact, premium elegance, modern classic, hairline serifs, vertical stress, crisp terminals, sharp joins, display-led.
This serif features a strongly contrasted, modern construction with prominent vertical stems and extremely fine hairlines. Serifs are sharp and delicate, reading as crisp wedges and thin finishing strokes rather than heavy brackets. Curves are smooth and taut, with a clear vertical stress and pronounced thick–thin modulation across rounds like O and C. Proportions run on the wider side, with generous counters and a steady, upright rhythm; numerals and capitals feel stately and structured, while lowercase maintains a classic, bookish skeleton with small, precise detailing.
Best suited to display typography such as headlines, magazine and journal titling, pull quotes, book covers, and refined brand wordmarks. It can also work for short bursts of text (captions, deck lines, section openers) when size and reproduction are sufficient to preserve the fine hairlines.
The overall tone is polished and high-end, with a dramatic sheen that feels at home in fashion, art, and culture contexts. Its razor-fine details and strong contrast create a sense of sophistication and ceremony, suggesting prestige and editorial confidence rather than casual friendliness.
The design appears intended to deliver a contemporary, high-fashion take on a classic contrasted serif, prioritizing elegance and impact through pronounced thick–thin modulation and crisp finishing details. It aims for a premium editorial voice that stands out in large sizes while maintaining a disciplined, traditional skeleton.
At larger sizes the hairlines and pointed terminals become a defining feature, producing a crisp sparkle and a distinctly modern-classic voice. In dense settings the extreme contrast can create a lively texture, especially where thin cross-strokes and serifs accumulate, so spacing and size choices will strongly shape the final color on the page.