Slab Square Afnow 4 is a light, narrow, monoline, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: editorial text, magazine layouts, catalogs, headlines, posters, retro, editorial, typewriter, utilitarian, bookish, space saving, text clarity, editorial utility, retro print feel, slab serif, condensed, square serifs, crisp, high contrast feel.
A condensed slab-serif with consistent, even stroke weight and crisp, squared-off terminals. The serifs are compact and blocky, giving letters a sturdy footing while keeping the overall silhouette tall and narrow. Curves are controlled and fairly geometric, with rounded bowls that terminate in flat ends; joins stay clean and minimally bracketed. Counters are modest and the spacing feels tight but orderly, producing a rhythmic, column-like texture in paragraphs. Numerals follow the same narrow proportions with clear, sturdy forms designed for alignment and legibility.
Well-suited to space-conscious typography where a compact footprint is needed, such as magazines, catalogs, and editorial columns. It also works for headlines, subheads, and posters that benefit from a strong vertical rhythm and crisp slab-serif detail, while remaining readable in longer passages.
The overall tone is practical and slightly retro, evoking printed matter such as forms, catalogs, or typewritten/editorial settings. Its narrow stance and squared detailing give it a disciplined, utilitarian voice, while the slab serifs add a touch of classic, bookish authority.
The design appears intended to deliver a compact slab-serif voice with clear structure and steady rhythm, balancing a traditional serif presence with a modern, squared finishing. Its proportions suggest an emphasis on fitting more characters per line without sacrificing a sturdy, print-forward texture.
Uppercase forms read especially architectural due to their tall proportions and flat terminals, and the lowercase maintains clarity with straightforward, familiar shapes. The ampersand and punctuation match the same squared, no-nonsense finishing, keeping the palette consistent across continuous text.