Serif Normal Otlum 2 is a bold, wide, very high contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: headlines, editorial, magazines, posters, book covers, formal, classic, dramatic, authoritative, impact, elegance, tradition, editorial voice, bracketed, wedge serifs, ball terminals, engraved, display.
A high-contrast serif with pronounced thick–thin modulation and crisp, bracketed wedge serifs. Curves show a slightly engraved, calligraphic sensibility, with sharp joins, teardrop/ball terminals in places (notably on lowercase forms), and a strong vertical stress. Capitals are broad and stately with sturdy stems and flared finishing strokes, while the lowercase maintains compact, rounded bowls and confident, sculpted apertures. Numerals are robust and display-leaning, with stylized curves and prominent terminals that keep texture dark and punchy.
Best suited to headlines, deck copy, pull quotes, and other editorial applications where impact and authority are desired. It can also work for book covers and formal branding moments, especially at larger sizes where the fine strokes and terminal details stay articulate.
The overall tone is traditional and commanding, with an editorial gravitas that reads as established and upscale. Its dramatic contrast and sculpted details add a slightly theatrical, headline-forward character without leaving the realm of classic serif conventions.
The design appears intended to modernize a conventional text-serif foundation with heightened contrast and emphatic, sculpted finishing strokes. It prioritizes presence and elegance, aiming for a classic-yet-dramatic voice that feels at home in publishing and polished display typography.
In continuous text, the strong contrast and heavy weight create a dense typographic color, while the distinctive terminals and serifs give words a lively, carved silhouette. The rhythm favors display sizes, where the thin strokes and sharp notches remain clear and the letterforms’ personality comes through.