Serif Normal Selab 12 is a regular weight, normal width, high contrast, italic, normal x-height font.
Keywords: books, editorial, literature, quotations, branding, classic, literary, formal, refined, text italic, classic elegance, readable contrast, calligraphic tone, bracketed, calligraphic, oldstyle, flowing, lively.
This typeface is a high-contrast italic serif with a calligraphic, oldstyle construction and lively, angled rhythm. Strokes transition from very thin hairlines to substantial stems, with tapered entry/exit strokes and smoothly bracketed serifs that feel cut by a broad pen. The capitals are moderately wide with elegant diagonals and pronounced curvature, while the lowercase shows fluid joins, a single-storey “a,” and a distinctive italic “f” with a long, sweeping terminal. Figures are lining and italicized, with varying widths and sharp, crisp hairlines that reinforce a refined page color.
Well-suited for long-form reading in books and editorial layouts where an italic voice is needed for emphasis, quotes, and passages with a classical tone. It can also serve effectively in refined branding, invitations, and packaging where a traditional, premium character is desired.
The overall tone is traditional and cultured, projecting a bookish, literary voice with an expressive italic flourish. It reads as polished and authoritative rather than casual, with enough movement to feel animated and humanistic.
The design appears intended to provide a conventional text-serif italic with strong calligraphic heritage, balancing elegance and readability while delivering a distinctive, expressive secondary voice for extended typography.
The slant is consistent and the spacing feels intentionally uneven in an italic way, producing a dynamic texture in continuous text. Several glyphs show pronounced teardrop-like terminals and angled stress, which strengthens the impression of historical, pen-influenced forms.