Sans Superellipse Piban 13 is a very bold, very narrow, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Korolev' by Device, 'Fairweather' by Dharma Type, 'Benton Sans' and 'Benton Sans Std' by Font Bureau, and 'Prelo Compressed' by Monotype (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, branding, packaging, signage, industrial, poster, athletic, retro, authoritative, space saving, impact, visibility, bold branding, condensed, blocky, rounded corners, high impact, sturdy.
A condensed, heavy sans with compact, squared-off proportions and softly rounded corners throughout. Strokes are uniform and dense, producing a strong vertical rhythm and tight internal counters, especially in letters like B, P, and R. Curves tend to resolve into rounded-rectangle forms rather than pure circles, and terminals are blunt and consistent. The lowercase shows single-storey forms (notably a and g) with short ascenders and relatively sturdy, compressed bowls, while figures are similarly compact and bold, keeping widths tightly controlled for signage-like clarity.
Best suited for short, high-impact copy such as headlines, posters, logos, packaging callouts, and signage where condensed width and heavy weight are advantages. It can work for subheads and labels, but extended text will benefit from generous line spacing due to the dark, compact texture.
The overall tone is loud, firm, and utilitarian, with a hint of retro sports and industrial labeling. Its condensed heft feels energetic and emphatic, projecting urgency and confidence more than refinement.
The font appears designed to deliver maximum punch in minimal horizontal space, combining a sturdy, engineered feel with softened corners for a more approachable, contemporary finish. Its consistent rounded-rectilinear construction suggests an emphasis on uniformity and strong silhouette recognition in display settings.
Spacing appears optimized for tight setting: wide strokes and narrow apertures create a dark texture, so it reads best when given enough size or leading. The design’s rounded-rectangle geometry stays consistent across caps, lowercase, and numerals, helping it hold together in dense headlines.