Calligraphic Afba 3 is a regular weight, normal width, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: books, editorial, longform, branding, invitations, classic, literary, warm, elegant, humanist, readable classic, crafted elegance, editorial tone, heritage feel, serifed, bracketed, oldstyle, calligraphic, texty.
A serif typeface with calligraphic, humanist construction and gently bracketed serifs. Strokes are smooth and moderately modulated, with rounded joins and a soft, slightly organic rhythm rather than rigid geometry. The lowercase shows traditional proportions with a two-storey “a,” a looped descender on “g,” and a lively “f,” while capitals maintain restrained, bookish forms with subtly flared terminals. Numerals are oldstyle-leaning in feel, with curving bowls and varied silhouettes that keep the texture animated in running text.
Well-suited to book typography, magazines, and other longform editorial work where a traditional serif texture is desired. It can also support refined branding and stationery—such as invitations, programs, and cultural materials—where a crafted, classic impression is beneficial.
The overall tone is classic and literary, conveying an editorial warmth associated with traditional print. Its subtle hand influence adds a personable, crafted feel without becoming informal, supporting an elegant but approachable voice.
The design appears intended to blend formal readability with a subtle handwritten sensibility, echoing traditional calligraphic roots while maintaining a controlled, contemporary text rhythm.
In paragraph setting, the face builds an even gray with gentle movement from the serifs and rounded stroke endings. The ampersand is distinctive and expressive, and the italic-like curvature in some strokes adds character while keeping the text color stable.