Distressed Embak 9 is a very bold, wide, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Acumin' by Adobe, 'AG Book W1G' and 'Akzidenz-Grotesk Next' by Berthold, 'Halenoir' by Ckhans Fonts, 'NeoGram' and 'Nuber Next' by The Northern Block, and 'Folio' by URW Type Foundry (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: posters, headlines, packaging, apparel, branding, grunge, playful, rugged, retro, casual, printed texture, vintage feel, diy character, display impact, friendly boldness, rounded, chunky, soft corners, weathered, textured.
A chunky, rounded sans with heavy strokes, softened corners, and a slightly loose, hand-cut rhythm. The letterforms are broadly proportioned with open counters and simple, blocky construction, keeping shapes highly legible at display sizes. A consistent speckled/eroded interior texture runs through the glyphs, creating a worn-print effect without heavily breaking the outer silhouettes. Overall spacing and sidebearings feel generous and even, supporting compact, bold word shapes.
Best suited to posters, headlines, logos, packaging, and apparel graphics where the worn texture can be appreciated. It performs well in short phrases and bold titles, and can add character to labels, stickers, and social graphics that want an analog, printed feel.
The texture and softened geometry give the font a friendly grit—casual and approachable rather than aggressive. It suggests analog printing, screen-printed merch, or stamped packaging, with a retro, DIY energy that reads as fun and informal.
The design appears intended to deliver a bold, highly legible display face with built-in wear—evoking imperfect ink coverage and aged surfaces while preserving strong, friendly silhouettes for branding and attention-grabbing copy.
The distressing appears as repeated small voids and scuffs inside strokes and counters, producing a consistent “ink drop-out” look across letters and numerals. Uppercase and lowercase share the same rounded, sturdy voice, and the numerals are similarly simplified and robust for visual continuity in headlines.