Slab Contrasted Erna 6 is a very bold, very wide, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Polyphonic' by Monotype (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, signage, packaging, logotypes, western, poster, vintage, punchy, playful, impact, signage feel, retro charm, characterful clarity, blocky, bracketed, ink-trap, rounded, chunky.
A heavy, block-built slab serif with broad proportions and a compact, tightly packed rhythm. Strokes are thick with subtly rounded joins and noticeable notches/ink-trap-like cuts where curves meet heavy stems, giving counters and apertures a carved, stencil-adjacent feel without actually breaking forms. Serifs are square and robust, often bracketed into the stems, and the overall silhouette reads as soft-edged and substantial rather than sharp or delicate. Uppercase shapes are wide and steady, while the lowercase keeps a solid, workmanlike structure with single-storey a and g and strongly supported verticals; figures are similarly chunky with generous interior counters for the weight.
Best suited to headlines and short display copy where its weight, width, and slab structure can lead the page—posters, signage, packaging, and bold brand marks. It can also work for punchy subheads or callouts, but its dense massing and distinctive junction detailing are most effective at larger sizes with ample spacing.
The tone is bold and extroverted, with a friendly toughness that evokes classic signage and old-style display typography. Its hefty slabs and carved junctions add a hint of Western and retro poster energy, balancing sturdiness with a slightly playful, approachable warmth.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum impact with a classic slab-serif voice, combining wide, sturdy letterforms with carved details that preserve clarity and add character. It aims for a nostalgic, sign-painter/poster sensibility while remaining legible and structurally consistent across caps, lowercase, and figures.
The carved junctions and small interior notches create distinct texture in setting, especially in dense text, and help keep counters open at large sizes. The design favors strong horizontal presence, making word shapes feel wide and stable on the line.