Slab Contrasted Tila 17 is a very bold, wide, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: posters, headlines, packaging, branding, logotypes, playful, retro, chunky, folksy, friendly, attention, personality, vintage feel, approachability, handmade look, rounded serifs, bouncy baseline, soft corners, compact counters, poster weight.
A heavy, display-oriented slab serif with softly rounded corners and chunky, block-like construction. Strokes show noticeable modulation, with thick verticals and slightly lighter joins and curves, creating a lively texture without feeling delicate. The slab serifs are short and broad, often flaring subtly and blending into the stems, which gives the shapes a cushioned, stamped look. Letterforms are generously wide with compact inner counters, and spacing reads open enough for headlines while still feeling dense and impactful.
This font performs best at large sizes where its chunky slabs and rounded terminals can read clearly and deliver personality. It suits posters, event graphics, packaging, and brand marks that want a friendly, vintage-leaning voice. It can also work for short blurbs or pull quotes, but its dense counters and heavy texture make it less ideal for long-form reading at small sizes.
The overall tone is upbeat and informal, with a retro sign-painting and circus-poster spirit. The slightly wobbly, hand-cut rhythm makes it feel approachable and humorous rather than strict or corporate. Its bold presence and softened details communicate warmth and personality, lending itself to playful, attention-grabbing messaging.
The design appears intended to evoke a classic, show-card slab serif feel with a modern, softened finish—prioritizing impact, warmth, and a handcrafted rhythm over strict typographic neutrality. It balances bold display utility with playful irregularity to stand out in expressive branding and headline typography.
The design’s irregularities appear intentional—small variations in stroke endings and serif shapes create a hand-rendered bounce while maintaining consistent weight and color across a line. Numerals share the same chunky proportions and rounded slab details, helping mixed text feel cohesive in display settings.