Slab Square Utbu 1 is a very light, wide, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: editorial, book text, magazines, poetry, branding, bookish, gentle, classic, quirky, readability, editorial tone, subtle character, modern classic, slab serif, bracketed serifs, rounded corners, calligraphic flare, open counters.
A very light slab-serif with broad proportions and crisp, rectangular serifs softened by subtle rounding and slight bracketing. Strokes are mostly monolinear, with occasional gentle swelling and tapered joins that give the outlines a hand-finished feel rather than strict geometry. The uppercase shows generous width and airy counters, while the lowercase keeps a straightforward rhythm with a two-storey “g,” a simple “a,” and compact terminals that stay square but not harsh. Numerals are similarly open and lightly drawn, with flat-ended details that maintain a clean, consistent color in text.
Well suited to editorial settings such as book interiors, magazine features, pull quotes, and refined longform layouts where a light, airy serif is desired. It can also work for boutique branding and packaging that benefits from a classic serif voice with a mild twist, especially at display and subhead sizes.
The overall tone feels literary and refined, but with an understated eccentricity—more personable than formal. Its light, spacious rhythm suggests calm editorial sophistication, while the slightly idiosyncratic curves and serifs add warmth and character.
The design appears intended to combine the clarity and structure of a slab-serif skeleton with a lighter, more elegant texture than typical heavy slabs. Its widened forms and softened details suggest an aim for readable, contemporary editorial typography with a distinctive, approachable personality.
In running text the letterspacing and open apertures help keep the texture clear at larger sizes, and the thin weight produces a delicate page color. Several terminals show small stylistic flares and softened corners, which contributes to a subtly handcrafted impression without becoming decorative.