Slab Square Pena 3 is a regular weight, wide, monoline, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: body text, technical documentation, forms, packaging, signage, typewriter, technical, utilitarian, retro, industrial, legibility, durability, typewriter revival, systematic geometry, functional tone, slab serif, square terminals, rounded corners, low contrast, sturdy.
A sturdy slab-serif design with low stroke contrast and largely uniform line weight. Serifs are blocky and square-ended, often softened by subtly rounded outer corners, giving the forms a machined yet approachable feel. Curves (notably in C, G, O, Q, and the lowercase bowls) are squared-off into rounded rectangles, while horizontals and verticals stay firm and straight. The overall rhythm is deliberate and even, with generous counters and clear, open shapes that keep the texture readable at text sizes.
Well-suited to editorial and functional typography where clarity and a structured texture are valued, such as manuals, specifications, forms, and instructional materials. The sturdy slab treatment also works for packaging, labeling, and wayfinding when a retro-industrial or typewriter-inflected character is desired.
The face conveys a pragmatic, no-nonsense tone reminiscent of typewritten or mechanical lettering. Its squared curves and robust slabs suggest reliability and process—like labeling, drafting, or institutional print—while the softened corners keep it from feeling harsh or overly rigid.
The design appears intended to blend typewriter familiarity with more geometric, squared construction, producing a dependable slab-serif for practical reading environments. By keeping contrast low and terminals decisively flat, it aims for consistent color on the page and a robust, workmanlike presence.
Uppercase forms read especially stable and architectural, with a pronounced baseline presence from the slabs. Numerals follow the same squared, rounded-rectangle logic (notably 0, 8, and 9), supporting a consistent, system-like voice across alphanumerics.