Distressed Gohu 2 is a regular weight, normal width, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: book covers, posters, packaging, headlines, branding, vintage, rustic, storybook, handcrafted, friendly, evoke nostalgia, add texture, imperfect print, handmade feel, bracketed serifs, worn edges, ink spread, oldstyle, lively rhythm.
A serif typeface with compact, oldstyle proportions and moderate stroke modulation. Serifs are generally bracketed and slightly flared, with terminals that feel softened rather than crisp. The outlines show intentional wear: edges look abraded and inky, with small nicks and uneven contours that mimic rough printing. Curves are slightly lumpy and organic, and widths vary noticeably from glyph to glyph, creating an animated, irregular texture in lines of text. Numerals and punctuation carry the same distressed treatment, keeping the set visually consistent.
Well-suited to display typography where the worn texture can read clearly: book covers, posters, labels, and brand marks that want a crafted or heritage feel. It can also work for short editorial pull quotes or themed headings when a warm, imperfect printed texture is desired, rather than a clean modern serif.
The overall tone is nostalgic and tactile, like printed ephemera or well-used book type that has picked up character over time. Its friendly, handmade roughness reads as warm and approachable rather than aggressive, lending a casual, folksy charm to headings and short passages.
The design appears intended to evoke classic serif letterforms while introducing deliberate irregularities that suggest age, rough printing, or hand-finished type. Its goal is less about pristine readability and more about adding atmosphere and material texture to the page.
The distressing is strong enough to be visible at display sizes and still present in text, where it adds texture and breaks up uniformity. Round forms (like O/Q/0/8) show especially evident edge wear, while straight stems retain a slightly rough, inked-in appearance; this produces a lively, imperfect rhythm across words.