Slab Contrasted Rowi 9 is a very bold, wide, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Absentia Slab' by DR Fonts, 'FF Marselis Slab' by FontFont, 'Egyptian Slate' by Monotype, 'Exo Slab Pro' by Polimateria, 'Regan Slab' by The Northern Block, 'Museo Slab Rounded' by exljbris, and 'Eigerdals Slab' by insigne (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, branding, packaging, sports, confident, athletic, retro, industrial, playful, impact, legibility, sturdiness, display, retro-modern, chunky, sturdy, blocky, softened, bracketed.
A heavy, block-forward slab serif with broad proportions and compact counters. Strokes are largely even, with subtle modulation where curves join stems, and the slabs read as thick, squared terminals with gentle rounding at corners. The design favors large, open silhouettes and a strong baseline, while bowls and curves (notably in O, Q, and numerals) stay full and smooth. Lowercase forms are sturdy and utilitarian, with short, dense-looking joins and a generally square rhythm that keeps texture bold and consistent in paragraphs.
Best suited to bold headlines, posters, and short-form copy where impact and clarity are priorities. It can work well for branding systems, packaging, signage, and sports or outdoor-themed communications that benefit from a sturdy, hard-working voice. For longer text, it will generally perform better with ample size, leading, and whitespace to keep the dense texture comfortable.
The tone is assertive and upbeat, balancing industrial solidity with a friendly, slightly retro warmth. Its chunky slabs and wide stance project confidence and durability, while softened corners prevent it from feeling harsh. Overall it reads as attention-grabbing and approachable rather than formal or delicate.
The design intent reads as a modernized, high-impact slab serif built for display clarity and strong presence. It emphasizes broad shapes, thick slabs, and smooth curvature to create a durable, friendly voice that remains legible under heavy weight.
Spacing appears generous enough for large display use, but the heavy weight and tight internal counters can build dark color quickly in long lines. Numerals are robust and highly legible, matching the same squared, slabbed logic as the letters for a cohesive, poster-ready feel.