Slab Contrasted Erna 1 is a very bold, very wide, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Polyphonic' by Monotype (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: posters, headlines, packaging, signage, sports branding, western, poster, retro, robust, authoritative, impact, heritage, headline clarity, ruggedness, blocky, bracketed, soft corners, chunky serifs, high impact.
A heavy, block-forward slab serif with broad proportions and compact counters. Stems are thick and fairly even, with modest contrast and wide, squared-off slabs that read as integrated caps rather than delicate serifs. Corners appear slightly softened and the joins feel sturdy, creating a dense, rhythmic texture in text. Lowercase forms are substantial and rounded in bowls, with a single-storey a and g and short, sturdy terminals; numerals are similarly chunky and built for solidity over finesse.
Best suited to display settings where strong impact is needed: posters, large headlines, signage, labels, and packaging. It can also work for short bursts of text such as pull quotes or section headers when you want a dense, emphatic typographic color.
The overall tone is bold and confident, with a classic poster and Americana feel. Its chunky slabs and wide stance give it a straightforward, no-nonsense voice that can lean nostalgic and theatrical while still feeling legible and grounded.
The design appears aimed at delivering maximum presence through wide, heavy forms and confident slab serifs, balancing a vintage display personality with straightforward readability in large sizes.
Spacing and color are intentionally dark, producing strong headline presence and a pronounced “inked” silhouette at display sizes. The slab treatment stays consistent across capitals, lowercase, and figures, reinforcing a cohesive, sign-like character.