Serif Normal Ifben 4 is a light, normal width, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: book text, editorial, academic, reports, branding, literary, classic, scholarly, formal, bookish, readability, tradition, versatility, text setting, bracketed, oldstyle, calligraphic, organic, crisp.
A classic serif text face with bracketed serifs, gently tapered strokes, and a calm, even texture in paragraph settings. Curves are broad and smooth, with soft transitions into stems that suggest a restrained calligraphic influence rather than a purely geometric build. Counters are open and round, terminals are generally sheared or subtly flared, and the overall rhythm favors readability over display drama. The roman shows modest stroke modulation, sturdy verticals, and slightly varied character widths that keep lines from feeling mechanically uniform.
Well suited to long-form reading in books and ebooks, magazines, and journal layouts where a steady serif texture is desirable. It also fits institutional communications—reports, programs, and formal invitations—and can support understated branding that leans traditional and trustworthy.
The tone is traditional and literary, evoking printed books, academic settings, and editorial typography. It feels dependable and mannered without being ornate, balancing formality with an approachable, human cadence.
The design appears intended as a general-purpose serif for continuous text, prioritizing legibility, conventional letterforms, and a composed page color. Its restrained modulation and bracketed serifs aim to deliver a familiar, comfortable reading experience across paragraphs and mixed-case settings.
Lowercase forms read especially comfortably, with a two-storey “g” and a compact, slightly lively “e” that help maintain clarity at text sizes. Numerals appear proportioned for running text, with familiar, conventional shapes and clear differentiation between figures.