Distressed Kohu 9 is a bold, normal width, medium contrast, italic, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Neue Helvetica', 'Neue Helvetica Armenian', 'Neue Helvetica Paneuropean', 'Neue Helvetica Thai', and 'Neue Helvetica World' by Linotype; 'Europa Grotesk No. 2 SB' and 'Europa Grotesk No. 2 SH' by Scangraphic Digital Type Collection; and 'Nimbus Sans Arabic' and 'Nimbus Sans Novus' by URW Type Foundry (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: posters, packaging, headlines, branding, stickers, rugged, handmade, energetic, informal, vintage, analog texture, handmade feel, punchy display, casual emphasis, brushy, rough-edged, inked, worn, gritty.
A slanted, brush-like sans with compact, chunky forms and visibly irregular edges. Strokes show blunt terminals and uneven contours, with subtle inking artifacts that create a printed-from-rough-source look. Curves are slightly faceted and the overall rhythm is lively rather than mechanically uniform, giving the alphabet a hand-rendered, worn texture while keeping counters fairly open and shapes broadly legible.
Best suited to short, high-impact text such as posters, apparel graphics, product labels, music/event promotions, and brand marks that want a handmade edge. It can work for subheads or pull quotes where the texture adds personality, but it’s most effective when given enough size and spacing to let the distressed details breathe.
The tone feels scrappy and expressive, like quick marker signage or a distressed headline pulled from an analog print process. It reads bold and energetic, with a casual, slightly rebellious character that suggests motion and attitude rather than polish.
Likely designed to deliver a bold, italic display voice with an intentionally roughened finish—capturing the immediacy of brush lettering and the imperfections of worn print. The emphasis appears to be on expressive impact and analog texture while preserving straightforward letterforms for quick recognition.
Uppercase forms lean toward simplified, sturdy silhouettes, while lowercase maintains a friendly, workmanlike feel; the texture remains consistent across letters and numerals. The italic slant and rough perimeter create a strong directional flow in words, which can add emphasis but may feel busy at very small sizes or in dense paragraphs.