Slab Normal Afby 5 is a light, wide, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: body text, editorial, books, magazines, reports, bookish, institutional, utilitarian, calm, readability, workhorse, editorial clarity, classic slab tone, slab serif, bracketed, open counters, generous spacing, crisp.
A slab-serif design with sturdy, rectangular serifs and mostly even stroke weight. Serifs are generally bracketed, giving corners a slightly softened, carved feel rather than sharp, abrupt terminals. Proportions are comfortably broad with open counters and clear internal spaces, and the overall rhythm reads steady and unhurried. Lowercase forms are straightforward and readable, with a two-storey “g,” a single-storey “a,” and simple, upright constructions; the numerals follow the same restrained, lightly serifed logic.
Best suited to extended reading in editorial contexts—books, magazines, reports, and other text-forward layouts where a slab serif can add structure without overpowering the page. It can also work well for headings and pull quotes when a sober, typographic voice is needed, and for data-heavy pages where clear numerals and steady letterforms help maintain legibility.
The tone is pragmatic and editorial, recalling familiar text typography used for manuals, newspapers, and institutional printing. It feels composed and dependable rather than expressive, with a mild vintage/academic flavor coming from the classic slab detailing. Overall, it projects clarity and authority without appearing heavy or ornamental.
The design appears intended as a plainspoken slab serif for practical typography: stable forms, familiar structures, and consistent spacing aimed at reliable readability. Its detailing suggests a desire to retain classic slab character while keeping the overall impression clean and workmanlike.
The sample text shows good separation between letters and a consistent baseline presence, with serifs helping guide horizontal flow. Curved letters (like C, O, S) stay smooth and controlled, while straight-sided letters (like E, F, H) maintain a tidy, engineered regularity. The figures are legible and traditional in structure, suited to mixed text-and-number settings.