Slab Contrasted Tysi 8 is a very bold, wide, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Brasilica' by CAST, 'Alkes' by Fontfabric, 'Askan' by Hoftype, 'Abelard' by Indian Type Foundry, 'Mundo Serif' by Monotype, 'Clara Serif' by Signature Type Foundry, and 'Calicanto' by Sudtipos (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, logotypes, packaging, signage, western, poster, vintage, collegiate, friendly, display impact, vintage revival, signage strength, warmth, bracketed, blocky, robust, chunky, bulbous.
A heavy, blocky slab-serif with strongly bracketed serifs and rounded interior curves that soften the overall mass. Strokes show a clear but not extreme contrast, with thick verticals and slightly lighter horizontals, and a consistently sturdy color on the page. Counters are relatively tight in letters like B, P, and R, while bowls and terminals stay generously rounded, giving the face a cushioned, ink-trap-free look. The lowercase uses compact, sturdy shapes with a single-storey a and g, a broad, low-contrast rhythm, and short, firm serifs that keep text lines dense and stable.
Best suited for headlines, posters, and short bursts of copy where impact and character matter most. It works well for branding and logotypes that want a vintage or western-leaning voice, as well as packaging, labels, and signage that benefit from strong silhouettes and confident slab serifs. In editorial settings it’s most effective for titles, pull quotes, and display typographic moments rather than continuous reading.
The tone reads bold and declarative with a nostalgic, display-first personality. Its slab structure and bracketing evoke vintage American printing—part western showbill, part collegiate signage—while the rounded joins add warmth and approachability. Overall it feels confident, hearty, and a bit playful rather than refined or delicate.
The design appears aimed at delivering a bold, traditional slab-serif presence with softened, rounded detailing to keep the heaviness inviting. Its wide stance, bracketed serifs, and tight counters prioritize strong shapes and unmistakable legibility at display sizes, echoing historical wood-type and signage traditions.
In the sample text, the weight produces strong emphasis and high impact, especially at large sizes, but the tight counters and heavy joins can make long passages feel dense. Figures are substantial and old-style in spirit, with rounded forms and thick terminals that match the letterforms’ sturdy texture.