Stencil Ifba 5 is a very bold, wide, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Graublau Slab Pro' by FDI, 'FF Kievit Slab' by FontFont, 'Rooney' by Jan Fromm, 'Modum' by The Northern Block, and 'Kheops' by Tipo Pèpel (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: posters, headlines, packaging, signage, logos, industrial, rugged, retro, assertive, utility, stencil aesthetic, high impact, utilitarian display, branding tone, slab serif, blocky, bracketed, ink trap, cutout.
A heavy, block-built slab serif with prominent stencil breaks that create clear internal bridges in bowls and counters. The letterforms are broadly proportioned with compact apertures, squared shoulders, and bracketed slab terminals that read strongly at display sizes. Curves are simplified into sturdy, almost modular shapes, and the stencil cuts are consistent across rounds (O, Q, 0) and verticals, giving the design a uniform rhythm. Numerals match the caps in weight and presence, with the same cutout logic and robust silhouettes.
Best suited to posters, headlines, and branding where a tough stencil aesthetic is desired. It also works well for packaging, labels, and signage that benefits from high-impact, industrial-looking letterforms and a consistent cutout pattern.
The overall tone is forceful and workmanlike, evoking industrial labeling, equipment markings, and utilitarian signage. Its bold slabs and deliberate breaks add a vintage, rugged character that feels both functional and attention-grabbing.
The design appears intended to deliver a classic stencil voice with maximum visual weight and presence, balancing sturdy slab-serif structure with repeated breakpoints for a cohesive marked-and-cut effect.
The stencil gaps are large enough to remain legible in tight settings, but they also introduce distinctive “punched” highlights that become a key part of the texture in longer lines. The design’s strong horizontals and slabs create a dense typographic color, making spacing and line length important for comfortable reading.