Calligraphic Ifni 12 is a regular weight, normal width, high contrast, upright, short x-height font.
Keywords: book titles, editorial, posters, invitations, packaging, classic, literary, formal, whimsical, vintage, human warmth, classic tone, display character, traditional voice, bracketed serifs, swashy, oldstyle, calligraphic, tapered strokes.
A calligraphic serif with lively, hand-drawn modulation and pronounced thick–thin contrast. Strokes taper into sharp, ink-like terminals and bracketed serifs, with gently cupped horizontals and subtly irregular curves that keep the rhythm organic rather than mechanical. Proportions lean traditional, with a relatively short x-height, prominent ascenders, and varied character widths that create a flowing, textural line. Several letters show modest swash tendencies and angled stress, giving capitals and punctuation a slightly theatrical silhouette while remaining clearly upright and readable.
Well suited to headlines, book covers, chapter openers, pull quotes, and other editorial or literary display settings where a classic serif with personality is desirable. It can also work for invitations, branding, and packaging that want a traditional, crafted feel, especially when set with comfortable spacing and moderate line lengths.
The overall tone feels classic and bookish, with a refined, old-world formality softened by a human, slightly playful hand. Its contrast and tapered finishing strokes suggest a pen-driven heritage, lending a sense of tradition, storytelling, and crafted elegance rather than strict modern neutrality.
The design appears intended to evoke a traditional serif voice filtered through a calligraphic, hand-rendered sensibility—combining familiar oldstyle proportions with expressive tapering and subtle flourish to add warmth and distinction in display typography.
The texture is deliberately uneven in a controlled way: curves breathe, joins aren’t perfectly uniform, and some forms flare or pinch as if shaped by pressure changes. This makes it especially characterful at display sizes, where the terminal shapes and contrast can be appreciated without looking brittle.