Calligraphic Derab 2 is a bold, narrow, high contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: posters, headlines, signage, branding, packaging, vintage, theatrical, authoritative, ornate, dramatic, period feel, display impact, space saving, handcrafted tone, flared, bracketed, compressed, calligraphic, sculpted.
A condensed, display-oriented serif with strongly modulated strokes and pronounced vertical emphasis. Stems are heavy and straight, while joins and terminals show calligraphic shaping with distinct bracketing and small wedge-like serifs. Curves are tightly drawn, counters are compact, and many letters feature flared or hooked terminals that create a carved, poster-like rhythm. The overall texture is dark and punchy, with consistent contrast and a slightly decorative, hand-rendered finish.
Best suited to headlines and short-form display settings where its dense color and decorative modulation can do the work—posters, theater/event titling, signage, labels, and brand marks. It can also serve as an accent face in editorial layouts when used at larger sizes with comfortable spacing.
The font conveys a vintage, theatrical tone—confident and a bit dramatic, like classic playbills or old shop signage. Its sharp modulation and sculpted terminals feel formal and emphatic, lending an authoritative voice while still reading as crafted rather than purely mechanical.
The design appears intended to evoke historic, hand-crafted letterforms in a condensed format, maximizing impact in tight horizontal space. Its consistent contrast and ornamental terminals suggest a focus on expressive display typography rather than extended reading.
Uppercase forms feel particularly tall and statuesque, and the lowercase maintains the same condensed build with compact bowls and clear, stylized terminals. Numerals are sturdy and attention-grabbing, matching the dense color and vertical cadence of the letters.