Slab Contrasted Ihbe 5 is a bold, normal width, medium contrast, italic, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Kondolar' by Cadson Demak, 'Sánchez Niu' by Latinotype, and 'Adelle' and 'Portada' by TypeTogether (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, branding, packaging, signage, editorial, vintage, confident, athletic, western, impact, heritage feel, emphasis, personality, display clarity, bracketed serifs, ball terminals, soft corners, compact counters, ink-trap feel.
A heavy, right-leaning serif with sturdy bracketed slabs and rounded joins that soften the silhouette. Strokes show clear thick–thin modulation, with broad, weighty horizontals and strong verticals, producing a punchy texture in text. Forms are slightly condensed in places but unevenly so across glyphs, giving a lively, variable rhythm; counters are compact and apertures tend to be tight. Terminals often finish with small ball-like shapes or tapered ends, and several letters show subtly carved corners that read like ink-trap shaping at display sizes. Numerals are robust and old-style in feel, with pronounced curves and prominent feet where applicable.
Best suited to headlines, deck copy, posters, and branding where the bold slanted presence and slab serifs can do the heavy lifting. It also works well for packaging and labels that want a heritage or craft-leaning voice, and for signage that needs strong shapes with clear rhythm at distance. For long-form reading, it performs best in short bursts (pull quotes, subheads) rather than continuous body text.
The overall tone is assertive and nostalgic, blending editorial seriousness with a sporting/poster energy. Its slanted stance and chunky slabs suggest momentum and impact, while the softened curves keep it approachable rather than harsh. The look evokes mid-century printing and signage—confident, slightly rugged, and distinctly characterful.
The design appears intended as a display-forward slab serif that balances impact with warmth: strong slabs and contrast for authority, plus rounded detailing and lively proportions for personality. The italic angle is used as a stylistic engine rather than a mere companion, emphasizing speed and emphasis in titles and promotional typography.
In larger setting the letterforms read crisp and sculpted, with the serifs creating a strong baseline and consistent horizontal emphasis. In dense text, the tight counters and heavy serifs can build a dark color, so it benefits from generous leading or slightly open tracking when used for longer passages.