Slab Contrasted Ihwa 4 is a very bold, wide, low contrast, italic, normal x-height font.
Keywords: posters, sports branding, packaging, editorial display, signage, sporty, retro, assertive, headline, collegiate, impact, movement, retro branding, display strength, attention, chunky, bracketed, ink-trap, dynamic, compact.
A heavy italic slab serif with broad proportions and sturdy, block-like construction. Strokes are mostly even, with only modest thick–thin modulation, and the serifs read as robust slabs with soft bracketing that helps the joins feel integrated rather than abrupt. Curves are generous and rounded (notably in O/C/S), while corners and terminals show subtle shaping that keeps the forms from looking purely geometric. The lowercase is compact and punchy with a single-storey a and g, and the numerals follow the same wide, weighty rhythm for strong presence in display settings.
Best suited to headlines, posters, and branding where a strong, energetic italic is needed—especially for sports, event promotion, and retro-inspired identities. It can also work well on packaging and signage where bold letterforms must hold up at a distance and under imperfect printing conditions.
The tone is energetic and confident, with a clear vintage flavor reminiscent of athletic and mid-century advertising typography. The forward slant and chunky slabs give it a sense of motion and impact, making the voice feel bold, friendly, and attention-grabbing rather than formal or delicate.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum impact with a vintage-leaning, athletic sensibility: wide, heavy forms paired with slab serifs and an italic stance to suggest speed and confidence. Its construction prioritizes bold presence and legibility in display use over subtle text refinement.
Round letters maintain large counters for readability at larger sizes, while the dense weight and italic angle increase visual emphasis. The overall rhythm is tight and sturdy, lending itself to short bursts of text where character and momentum matter more than quiet neutrality.