Slab Contrasted Bele 12 is a very bold, wide, medium contrast, italic, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Capita' by Hoftype; 'Sybilla', 'Sybilla Multiverse', and 'Sybilla Pro' by Karandash; 'Mediator Serif' by ParaType; and 'PF Centro Slab Pro' by Parachute (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, sports branding, packaging, signage, retro, confident, sporty, loud, playful, impact, momentum, display, heritage cue, bracketed, compact, punchy, ink-trap feel, soft corners.
A heavy italic slab serif with compact internal counters and strongly bracketed, blocky serifs. The letterforms lean noticeably forward with a springy, slightly condensed rhythm, while bowls and shoulders stay round and weighty. Strokes show clear thick–thin behavior for a slab style, and terminals often finish with crisp, squared ends that keep the texture dense. Uppercase forms read sturdy and poster-like; lowercase is similarly robust with a single-storey a and g and a deep, energetic italic flow.
Best suited to headlines, short bursts of copy, and display settings where strong typographic color is an asset—posters, sports and event branding, packaging, and bold editorial callouts. It can work for larger-size subheads as well, but its dense texture and tight counters suggest avoiding small sizes for extended reading.
The overall tone is bold and upbeat, with a classic, retro flavor that feels at home in attention-grabbing typography. Its forward slant and chunky slabs project momentum and confidence, giving it a sporty, headline-first personality rather than a quiet, bookish one.
This design appears intended to deliver a strong, energetic italic slab look that combines vintage display cues with modern punch. The emphasis is on impact and momentum—creating a confident voice that holds up in bold branding and headline-driven layouts.
The numerals are large and heavy, matching the uppercase in color and presence, and the italic angle is consistent across the set. Tight apertures and compact counters create a dark, impactful page color, especially in longer text blocks.