Slab Contrasted Vado 2 is a very bold, normal width, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Central Avenue' by Colophon Foundry, 'Mothem' by Gerobuck, 'Neue Aachen' by ITC, 'Herchey' by Ilham Herry, 'Golden Record' by Mans Greback, and 'Trade Gothic Display' by Monotype (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, packaging, branding, signage, sturdy, industrial, confident, retro, editorial, impact, authority, retro print, robustness, headline clarity, blocky, bracketed, ink-trap hints, compact, high-impact.
A heavy slab serif with pronounced, block-like terminals and subtly bracketed joins that soften the slab geometry. Strokes show noticeable thick–thin modulation for a display-forward color, while counters stay fairly open to preserve clarity at large sizes. The lowercase is compact with rounded bowls and sturdy stems; the serifs read as squared and weighty rather than delicate. Overall spacing feels firm and slightly tight, producing a dense, poster-ready texture.
Best suited to large-scale typography where strong structure and high visual weight are assets—headlines, posters, labels, and bold brand marks. It can also work for short blurbs or pull quotes where a compact, authoritative voice is desired, but its dense color suggests avoiding long passages at smaller sizes.
The tone is bold and no-nonsense, combining a utilitarian, print-era solidity with a touch of vintage editorial character. Its strong slabs and compact proportions convey authority and practicality, with an energetic, attention-grabbing presence in headlines.
The design appears aimed at delivering maximum impact with a traditional slab-serif backbone, blending sturdy industrial cues with a slightly refined, print-oriented contrast. It’s built to hold attention quickly while remaining legible and cohesive across mixed-case settings and figures.
Numerals are wide and substantial, matching the headline weight and maintaining consistent serif treatment. The design balance leans toward impact and uniform darkness, with small internal details that keep shapes from feeling overly rigid.