Slab Square Refo 5 is a very bold, narrow, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: posters, headlines, signage, logos, packaging, western, retro, poster, rugged, playful, display impact, vintage feel, woodtype nod, signage clarity, brand character, chunky, bracketed, ink-trap, compact, blocky.
A chunky slab-serif with compact proportions and a strong, even stroke weight. The serifs are heavy and rectangular with subtly bracketed joins, giving the letters a carved, woodtype-like solidity. Counters are relatively tight and bowls are full, while terminals stay blunt and squared, producing a sturdy silhouette. The lowercase keeps a straightforward, readable build with a single-storey a and g and rounded forms held in by thick slabs, maintaining a consistent, tightly packed rhythm across text.
Well suited for attention-grabbing headlines, poster typography, and signage where a bold, period-evocative voice is needed. It can also work for logos and packaging that aim for a vintage, handcrafted or Western-inspired feel, especially when set with generous tracking and ample line spacing.
The overall tone feels vintage and workmanlike, with a classic frontier and old-poster character. Its heavy slabs and compact color project confidence and a touch of theatricality, balancing ruggedness with an approachable, slightly playful warmth.
The letterforms appear intended to echo traditional slab-serif display printing, emphasizing stout structure, blunt terminals, and a compact footprint for maximum impact. The consistent weight and prominent slabs suggest a design optimized for strong visual presence and nostalgic display use.
The design reads best at display sizes where the tight apertures and dense interior spaces can breathe. Numerals match the same bold, blocky voice, reinforcing an emphatic, headline-oriented texture.