Cursive Apken 3 is a regular weight, very narrow, high contrast, upright, short x-height font.
Keywords: greeting cards, invitations, packaging, social posts, posters, playful, whimsical, friendly, handmade, lively, handmade feel, casual warmth, expressive headlines, brush lettering, brushy, loopy, bouncy, organic, calligraphic.
A lively handwritten script with brush-pen construction, showing pronounced thick–thin modulation and tapered terminals. Letterforms are slightly irregular in width and rhythm, with a bouncing baseline and occasional tall ascenders/descenders that give the line a vertical sparkle. Strokes often connect in running text, while some capitals stand more independently with simplified, monoline-like entry strokes. Counters are compact and the overall texture is airy, with narrow forms and sharp, ink-like tapers that suggest quick, confident pen movement.
Best suited to short display copy such as greeting cards, invites, product packaging, social graphics, and poster headlines where the brushy contrast and looping connections can be appreciated. It also works well for quotes or callouts when given generous size and line spacing to keep the lively joins readable.
The tone is casual and upbeat, like personal notes, craft labels, or playful invitations. Its springy rhythm and loopy joins read as warm and approachable rather than formal, with a slightly theatrical flair in the taller letterforms.
Designed to capture the feel of quick brush lettering: energetic, informal, and slightly imperfect, with enough consistency to read smoothly in phrases while preserving a handcrafted personality.
In mixed-case text, the capitals are expressive but not overly ornate, helping headings feel energetic without becoming overly decorative. The high contrast and narrow shapes create a crisp, sparkly color at display sizes, while the more intricate joins and tight counters can feel busy if set too small or too tightly tracked.