Serif Normal Emlab 12 is a regular weight, normal width, high contrast, italic, short x-height font.
Keywords: book typography, editorial, invitations, branding, headlines, elegant, literary, classic, refined, formal, expressive italic, classic refinement, editorial voice, formal tone, text elegance, calligraphic, brisk, crisp, graceful, airy.
This is a high-contrast italic serif with a steep rightward slant and crisp, tapered serifs. Strokes show a pronounced thick–thin modulation with sharp wedge-like terminals, giving the letterforms a lively, calligraphic snap. The proportions feel traditional and somewhat narrow in the rounds, with a relatively small x-height and long ascenders/descenders that create a spacious vertical rhythm. Curves are smooth and controlled, and spacing appears moderately open for an italic, keeping word shapes clear in continuous text.
It works well for editorial typography, book content, and literary titling where an elegant italic voice is needed. The high contrast and sharp details also suit invitations, refined branding, and pull quotes or headlines at larger sizes, where the tapered serifs and flowing rhythm can be appreciated.
The overall tone is polished and literary, leaning toward classic bookish elegance rather than casual handwriting. Its energetic slant and sharp terminals add a sense of motion and sophistication, suggesting formality without feeling rigid.
The design appears intended to provide a traditional, expressive italic companion for text, emphasizing graceful movement, strong contrast, and a classic serif structure. It aims to deliver a refined, formal tone while retaining enough openness and consistency for sustained reading.
Capitals are expressive and slightly swashy in feel, with notably dynamic forms in letters like Q and R, while the lowercase maintains a consistent, readable italic structure. Numerals follow the same calligraphic contrast and angled stress, matching the text color well in running settings.