Serif Contrasted Tino 9 is a very bold, wide, very high contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'EF Bodoni No 2' by Elsner+Flake, 'Bodoni SB' and 'Bodoni SH' by Scangraphic Digital Type Collection, and 'Bodoni No. 2' by URW Type Foundry (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, branding, magazines, packaging, fashion, dramatic, editorial, luxury, theatrical, impact, elegance, distinctiveness, display drama, brand voice, swashy, crisp, didone-like, high-fashion, ornate.
A striking display serif with extreme thick–thin modulation and a strongly vertical feel. The heavy stems read as dense, almost poster-black, while hairlines and joins taper to sharp points, creating crisp internal cut-ins and wedge-like terminals. Serifs are fine and pointed rather than slabby, with a mix of flat feet and flicked, calligraphic accents on several letters, giving the set a lively, slightly idiosyncratic rhythm. Counters are generally compact against the heavy outer shapes, and round forms show dramatic pinching where hairlines meet thick strokes; figures echo the same bold silhouettes and sharp transitions.
Best suited to large-scale settings where the extreme contrast and sharp detailing can be appreciated—magazine mastheads, fashion/editorial headlines, brand wordmarks, event posters, and premium packaging. It can work for short callouts or pull quotes, but sustained small-size reading will look dense due to the heavy main strokes and tight counters.
The tone is unapologetically dramatic and couture-leaning, balancing classical high-contrast elegance with flamboyant, swashy details. It feels attention-seeking and theatrical—more runway headline than quiet book typography—while still retaining a formal, old-style gravitas.
The letterforms appear designed to deliver maximum impact through exaggerated contrast and sculpted silhouettes, while adding distinctive, stylish flourishes to separate it from a purely classical modern serif. Overall, it aims for a high-end, editorial voice that reads as both traditional and boldly expressive.
The design mixes refined, needle-like hairlines with occasional decorative spur and tail gestures (notably in some lowercase and the ampersand), which adds personality but also increases the sense of visual texture in paragraphs. At larger sizes the razor transitions and sculpted negative spaces become a key feature, producing a bold, cut-paper look in word shapes.