Slab Contrasted Elje 3 is a very bold, very wide, medium contrast, upright, tall x-height font.
Keywords: posters, headlines, logotypes, packaging, signage, western, rugged, playful, poster-ready, retro, high impact, woodtype revival, decorative texture, brandable display, blocky, notched, chunky, soft corners.
A chunky display slab with oversized, rectangular serifs and heavily bracketed joins that keep the silhouette rounded despite the extreme weight. Strokes are built from broad, compact forms with visible internal notches and triangular cut-ins on several letters, creating a stamped or carved rhythm across the alphabet. Counters are relatively small and often teardrop-like, while terminals and serifs stay blunt and horizontal, producing a steady, blocky cadence. The lowercase is similarly massive with a large, round dot on i/j and sturdy, simplified bowls; numerals are wide and bulbous with characteristic mid-stroke notches that echo the capitals.
Best suited to display settings where weight and character are assets—posters, headlines, storefront-style signage, packaging, and bold brand marks. It works particularly well for short phrases and titles where the notched detailing can be appreciated and spacing can be tuned for clarity.
The overall tone reads bold and theatrical, with a clear saloon/woodtype flavor and a slightly mischievous, cartoonish punch. The carved notches add a handcrafted, attention-grabbing texture that feels nostalgic and lively rather than neutral or corporate.
This design appears intended to reinterpret classic slab/woodtype display lettering with an added carved-notch signature, maximizing impact and personality. The goal is strong presence and recognizability in large-scale typography rather than quiet, continuous reading.
The most distinctive motif is the repeated notch/indent detail that appears in multiple glyphs (including some capitals and figures), giving the face a branded, ornamental consistency. The heavy bracketing and rounded interior shapes help maintain legibility at large sizes, while the dense color and small counters can visually plug up when set too small or tightly.