Slab Contrasted Ulze 3 is a very bold, very wide, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Elkdale' by Matteson Typographics (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: posters, headlines, logotypes, packaging, signage, western, circus, vintage, playful, bold, attention grabbing, retro display, show typography, wood-type feel, theatrical tone, bracketed, notched, ornamental, chunky, high-ink.
A heavy, display-oriented slab serif with broad proportions and strongly bracketed serifs. Strokes are thick and confident with moderate internal contrast, while many terminals and corners are sculpted with distinctive notches and wedge-like cuts that create a chiseled silhouette. Counters are relatively compact, joins are sturdy, and the overall rhythm is blocky and emphatic, producing a dense, poster-ready texture in text settings.
Best suited to headlines, posters, signage, and branding where a bold, vintage display voice is needed. It can also work for short taglines on packaging or event materials, especially when you want a Western or circus-inspired mood; for extended reading, it’s more effective in brief, high-impact settings.
The notched slabs and carved detailing evoke 19th‑century show typography, giving the face a Western/circus flavor with a slightly mischievous, theatrical tone. Its weight and exaggerated forms read as assertive and attention-seeking rather than refined or quiet.
The letterforms appear designed to deliver maximum impact with a stylized, carved slab-serif look, prioritizing character and presence over neutrality. The consistent notching and broad stance suggest an intention to reference historic wood-type and showbill aesthetics while remaining clear enough for display text.
The design relies on consistent ornamental cut-ins across capitals, lowercase, and numerals, which helps it feel cohesive despite its decorative edges. In longer lines, the heavy color and tight counters can feel compact, so it naturally favors larger sizes and short bursts of copy.