Slab Contrasted Bute 9 is a bold, wide, medium contrast, italic, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Clarendon' by URW Type Foundry (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, branding, magazine, packaging, editorial, sporty, retro, assertive, upscale, impact, momentum, display, heritage, emphasis, bracketed serifs, ink-trap feel, ball terminals, diagonal stress, soft corners.
A sturdy italic serif with pronounced, slab-like terminals and a slightly expanded footprint. Strokes show clear contrast with weight concentrated in the main diagonals and verticals, while the serifs read as broad, bracketed wedges rather than thin hairlines. Curves are generously rounded with a few tight interior joins that create an ink-trap-like notch, and several letters feature ball or teardrop terminals that add a crafted, slightly calligraphic finish. The texture is dense and rhythmic, with lively diagonals and compact counters that stay open enough for display use.
Best suited to headlines, posters, and brand marks where a bold italic voice and slabby serif presence can carry the composition. It also fits magazine features and promotional copy that benefits from an editorial, slightly retro energy. In packaging or signage, its strong silhouettes and distinctive numerals help maintain impact at a distance.
The overall tone feels energetic and confident, combining old-style warmth with a bold, punchy slant. It suggests classic publishing and headline typography, but with enough athletic momentum to feel modern and promotional. The look is authoritative rather than delicate, leaning toward dramatic emphasis and strong personality.
The design appears intended to deliver a high-impact italic serif that reads fast and feels confident, pairing broad, slab-like serifs with lively curves for a memorable display texture. It balances classic serif cues with a more contemporary, punchy stance to support attention-grabbing typography in branding and editorial settings.
Uppercase forms lean into strong diagonals (notably in letters like N, V, W, X), reinforcing the forward motion of the italic. Numerals are heavy and distinctive, with rounded bowls and occasional curled or tapered endings that keep them from feeling purely geometric. The lowercase shows a clear hierarchy between sturdy stems and rounded bowls, giving paragraphs a pronounced, high-contrast rhythm at larger sizes.