Slab Contrasted Isma 3 is a bold, narrow, low contrast, upright, tall x-height font.
Keywords: headlines, posters, packaging, branding, signage, industrial, confident, rugged, editorial, traditional, space-saving, strong impact, durability, classic display, blocky, bracketed, compact, sturdy, high-waisted.
A compact, heavy serif with squared, slab-like terminals and a mostly low-contrast stroke pattern. The shapes are strongly vertical, with tight sidebearings and an even, rhythmic color in text. Serifs read as sturdy blocks with slight bracketing, helping counters stay open despite the weight. Lowercase shows a tall x-height and short ascenders/descenders, while uppercase is broad-shouldered and emphatic, creating a dense, headline-forward texture. Numerals match the same solid construction with simple, robust forms.
Well suited to headlines, subheads, posters, and branded statements where a dense, authoritative voice is desired. It can also work in packaging and signage where sturdiness and legibility at medium-to-large sizes are priorities, especially in tight spaces.
The overall tone is assertive and workmanlike, evoking press-era and industrial signage sensibilities. Its dense texture and squared detailing feel practical and no-nonsense, while the slab structure adds a classic, editorial gravity.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum impact in a compact width, combining slab-serif structure with a tall lowercase for efficiency and readability. Its consistent, sturdy detailing suggests a focus on durable editorial and display typography rather than delicate refinement.
In the sample text, the compact proportions and strong serifs create a dark, stable line that holds together well at larger sizes. The design’s blocky terminals and narrow set can make long passages feel weighty, but they deliver strong impact in short bursts.