Slab Contrasted Ergo 5 is a very bold, wide, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Dean Slab' by Blaze Type, 'Egyptian Slate' and 'Polyphonic' by Monotype, and 'Gintona Slab' by Sudtipos (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, packaging, sports branding, signage, bold, assertive, retro, collegiate, industrial, maximum impact, sturdy display, retro branding, headline clarity, blocky, chunky, sturdy, bracketed, high-impact.
A heavy, block-built slab serif with prominent rectangular serifs and subtly bracketed joins that soften the transitions into the stems. Counters are compact and the overall color is very dark and even, with crisp, straight terminals and a squared-off rhythm throughout. Round letters (O, C, G) are broadly proportioned with flattened, sturdy curves, while diagonals (V, W, X) are thick and stable rather than sharp. Lowercase forms are similarly weighty, with a single-storey “a,” a compact “e,” and short, dense apertures that favor solidity over airiness. Numerals match the same rugged geometry, reading clearly at display sizes with strong silhouettes and minimal delicacy.
Best suited for short-form, high-impact typography such as headlines, posters, apparel graphics, team or collegiate-style branding, labels, and signage. It can work for brief subheads or callouts, but the dense interiors and heavy serifs are most effective at larger sizes where its shapes can breathe.
The font projects a confident, no-nonsense tone with a distinctly retro and workmanlike feel. Its chunky slabs and compact counters give it a poster-ready presence that reads as traditional, sturdy, and attention-seeking rather than refined or quiet.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum impact with a traditional slab-serif voice—prioritizing strong silhouettes, sturdy construction, and a classic, American-vernacular display sensibility for branding and headline settings.
Spacing appears geared toward display: forms sit tightly and build strong word shapes, while the heavy slabs create noticeable horizontal emphasis. The bold ampersand and punctuation-like shapes in the sample text reinforce the font’s punchy, headline-first personality.