Slab Contrasted Abfa 11 is a bold, normal width, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Berthold Corporate E' by Berthold, 'Vigor DT' by DTP Types, 'Open Serif' by Matteson Typographics, 'Polyphonic' by Monotype, 'PF Centro Slab Press' by Parachute, and 'Corporate E' and 'Corporate E WGL' by URW Type Foundry (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, editorial, book covers, branding, authoritative, vintage, institutional, rugged, strong presence, print heritage, editorial emphasis, classic utility, bracketed, sturdy, ink-trapless, high-ink, bookish.
A sturdy serif design with pronounced, squared serifs that read as slab-like, often subtly bracketed into the stems. Strokes are heavy and largely even, with just enough modulation to give letters a carved, traditional feel rather than a purely geometric one. Proportions are moderate with compact counters and a strong baseline presence, producing a dark, steady typographic color. Uppercase forms feel broad-shouldered and stable, while the lowercase maintains clear, conventional structures that stay robust at display sizes; numerals are similarly weighty and straightforward.
Best suited to headlines and short-to-medium display text where a strong, grounded serif voice is desired. It works well for editorial titling, book and magazine covers, posters, and brand marks that benefit from a traditional, sturdy presence. In larger sizes it delivers confident emphasis with consistent, legible letterforms.
The overall tone is confident and traditional, with a workmanlike solidity that suggests legacy printing and institutional communication. Its heavy serifs and dense texture lend an authoritative, slightly old-fashioned voice that can feel both dependable and emphatic. The look is more pragmatic than delicate, favoring impact and clarity over refinement.
The design appears intended to provide a bold, dependable serif with slab-like authority—something that can hold ink and attention in print-style layouts while retaining familiar, readable forms. Its balanced proportions and consistent serif system suggest a focus on versatility for display typography with a classic, institutional flavor.
The serif treatment is consistent across the set, giving a unified rhythm and strong horizontal anchoring. Curves (like in O, Q, and g) stay full and rounded, while joins and terminals remain crisp and squared, reinforcing a sturdy, print-forward character.