Slab Contrasted Ihku 9 is a very bold, wide, low contrast, italic, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Gimbal Egyptian' by AVP, 'Vigor DT' by DTP Types, 'FF Kievit Slab' by FontFont, 'TheSerif' by LucasFonts, 'Directa Serif' by Outras Fontes, and 'Bodoni Egyptian Pro' by Shinntype (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, sports branding, packaging, signage, assertive, retro, sporty, editorial, industrial, impact, momentum, emphasis, vintage flavor, headline strength, slab serif, soft corners, bracketed serifs, ink-trap feel, ball terminals.
A heavy italic slab serif with broad proportions and compact counters, built on sturdy verticals and strong, rectangular slabs. Serifs appear mostly bracketed and slightly softened, giving the joins a rounded, ink-friendly feel rather than razor-sharp corners. Curves are full and generous (notably in O/Q/C), while terminals and details show small bulges and ball-like endings in places, contributing to a robust, poster-ready texture. The overall rhythm is energetic and right-leaning, with consistent weight and a tight, punchy silhouette that holds together well at display sizes.
Best suited to headlines, posters, and branding where you want maximum impact and a fast, energetic stance. It works well for sports or team identities, product packaging, and bold signage, and can also serve as an accent face in editorial layouts where short bursts of text need strong emphasis.
The tone is bold and confident with a vintage, workmanlike flavor—somewhere between athletic headline typography and classic editorial display. Its italic slant adds motion and urgency, while the slab structure keeps it grounded and authoritative.
The design appears intended as a high-impact italic slab for display use, prioritizing punchy silhouettes, strong horizontal anchoring from the slabs, and a lively forward lean. The softened, slightly bracketed details suggest a goal of staying sturdy and legible while retaining a vintage, print-oriented warmth.
Uppercase forms read compact and powerful, with a slightly compressed inner space that enhances impact. Numerals are equally weighty and stylized, matching the italic momentum of the letters and maintaining a cohesive, signage-like presence in lines of text.