Distressed Rolus 9 is a bold, narrow, high contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: posters, headlines, packaging, labels, album art, gritty, handmade, retro, punchy, raw, vintage print, rugged texture, display impact, handmade feel, roughened, inked, stamped, condensed, uneven.
A condensed, heavy display face with tall proportions and tight internal counters. Strokes show pronounced, irregular edge wear and ink-like breakup, with occasional notches and slight waviness that suggest distressed printing. Curves are simplified and compact, terminals tend toward blunt or lightly tapered ends, and the texture is applied consistently enough to read as a unified style rather than random noise. Numerals follow the same sturdy, compressed construction with visibly scuffed edges.
Works best for headlines, posters, and other display applications where a rugged texture is desirable. It suits packaging, labels, album/cover art, and event or promotional graphics that need a compact, attention-grabbing voice. Use with generous tracking or at larger sizes to preserve interior details.
The overall tone feels gritty and handmade, like old letterpress type, stamped packaging, or a worn poster pulled from a street wall. Its rough texture adds urgency and attitude, giving straightforward shapes a tough, slightly vintage character.
The design appears intended to deliver a compact, assertive display look with a deliberately worn surface, evoking ink spread and abrasion from printing or repeated use. The goal is impact and character over refinement, giving familiar letterforms a distressed, tactile presence.
Texture is strong and high-contrast against the background, so small sizes may close up in tight counters; it performs best where the distressed edges can be seen. The narrow set and tall caps create a dense, vertical rhythm that stands out in short lines and stacked settings.