Slab Contrasted Ismo 9 is a very bold, narrow, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Artegra Slab' by Artegra, 'Miura Slab' by DSType, 'Magnus' by ITC, 'Faraon' by Latinotype, 'TheSerif' by LucasFonts, 'Rude Slab ExtraCondensed' by Monotype, 'Fenomen Slab' by Signature Type Foundry, 'Aaux Office' by T-26, and 'LFT Etica Sheriff' by TypeTogether (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, sports branding, packaging, signage, industrial, western, assertive, retro, athletic, impact, compactness, ruggedness, heritage feel, headline clarity, blocky, bracketed, compact, punchy, poster-ready.
A heavy, compact slab serif with broad, squared terminals and noticeable bracketing where stems meet the slabs. The design favors sturdy verticals and simplified curves, producing a dense, block-like texture. Counters are relatively tight and apertures are small, emphasizing weight and presence over openness. Uppercase forms feel monument-like and geometric, while the lowercase keeps a firm, mechanical stance with sturdy stems and short extenders; overall rhythm is consistent and built for impact.
Best suited to short-form, high-impact typography such as headlines, mastheads, posters, and labels where the heavy slabs and compact shapes can anchor a layout. It also fits branding that wants a sturdy, heritage-leaning feel—particularly sports, workwear, or industrial themes—and can function well for bold signage and wayfinding when set with adequate spacing.
The font conveys a bold, workmanlike tone—confident, rugged, and slightly nostalgic. Its slab build and compact proportions suggest vintage display typography seen in posters, sports marks, and utilitarian signage, giving text a forceful, no-nonsense voice.
Likely designed to deliver maximum visual authority in a condensed footprint, combining classic slab-serif structure with simplified, durable shapes for strong display performance. The emphasis appears to be on legibility at large sizes and a distinctive, rugged personality rather than delicate detail.
The numerals and capitals read especially strong thanks to wide slabs and squared details, creating a stable baseline and a pronounced headline silhouette. In paragraph-like settings it produces a dark, tightly knit color, so breathing room in line spacing and margins can help maintain clarity.