Slab Contrasted Ermo 5 is a very bold, wide, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Elkdale' by Matteson Typographics (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: posters, headlines, packaging, signage, logotypes, western, vintage, playful, poster, rustic, attention-grabbing, vintage revival, woodtype echo, decorative emphasis, brand character, chunky, bracketed, notched, decorative, high-impact.
A heavy, display-oriented slab serif with broad proportions and compact internal counters. Strokes are robust with visible contrast, while the serifs read as thick blocks with subtle bracketing and cut-in notches that create a carved, woodtype-like silhouette. Curves are slightly squarish and corners often break into chamfered facets, producing an irregular, stamped rhythm across words. Spacing appears on the tight-to-moderate side, and the overall texture is dense and dark, optimized for large sizes.
Best suited to short, prominent text such as posters, headlines, product labels, event graphics, and bold logotypes where its carved details can be appreciated. It works well in themes leaning vintage or Western-inspired, and performs strongest when given ample size and simple layouts to prevent the dense shapes from crowding.
The letterforms evoke frontier and circus poster traditions, mixing toughness with a slightly mischievous, decorative edge. Its notched details and chunky slabs give it a handcrafted, vintage feel that reads as bold, attention-grabbing, and a bit theatrical rather than refined or corporate.
The design appears intended to reinterpret traditional slab serif display typography with decorative cut-ins and a woodtype-inspired ruggedness, prioritizing impact and personality over quiet readability. Its heavy slabs, faceted joins, and notched counters aim to deliver a memorable, poster-ready voice in a single glance.
Capitals and lowercase share a consistent, blocky construction with prominent slab terminals, and numerals follow the same rugged, cut-out motif. The distinctive interior notches and ink-trap-like cutaways add character but also increase visual noise, making the design feel intentionally roughened and display-first.