Serif Normal Pira 3 is a bold, wide, very high contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Encorpada Classic', 'Encorpada Essential', and 'Encorpada Pro' by dooType (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, book covers, editorial, magazines, branding, classic, formal, dramatic, bookish, editorial tone, classic authority, display impact, refined texture, literary feel, bracketed, ball terminals, teardrop terminals, calligraphic, oldstyle figures.
A high-contrast serif with sturdy, weighty stems and sharply tapered hairlines, producing a crisp black-and-white rhythm on the page. Serifs are clearly bracketed and confidently sized, with several letters showing rounded or teardrop terminals (notably in lowercase forms), giving the design a slightly calligraphic finish despite its upright stance. The lowercase has a traditional, readable build with a moderate x-height and compact apertures, while capitals are broad and emphatic with strong vertical stress. Numerals appear oldstyle with noticeable ascenders/descenders and stylized curves, matching the font’s lively contrast and terminal treatment.
This font is well suited to headlines, decks, and pull quotes where its contrast and strong serif structure can project authority and elegance. It also fits book covers, magazine typography, and refined branding systems that want a traditional serif with a bit of flourish. For longer passages, it will favor comfortable sizes and generous leading to keep the dense texture from feeling too heavy.
The overall tone is classic and authoritative, with an editorial gravitas that feels suited to established institutions and print traditions. At the same time, the expressive terminals and oldstyle numerals add a touch of personality and theatricality, making the voice feel more literary than purely utilitarian.
The design appears intended to modernize a conventional text serif by amplifying contrast and adding expressive terminal forms, yielding a face that reads as both traditional and attention-getting. Its emphasis on strong verticals, bracketed serifs, and oldstyle numerals suggests an aim toward classic editorial typography with a slightly decorative, characterful edge.
In text settings, the heavy main strokes and tight interior spaces can create dense color, especially at larger display sizes, while the thin hairlines add sparkle and refinement. Distinctive details—such as the looping descender on the lowercase g and the curved, swashed-like strokes in some figures—give the face a recognizable, slightly ornamental signature without departing from conventional serif structure.