Distressed Keno 4 is a very bold, narrow, medium contrast, italic, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Amsi Grotesk' and 'Goudar HL' by Stawix; 'Tablet Gothic' by TypeTogether; 'Calps', 'Kelpt', and 'Kelpt Sans' by Typesketchbook; and 'Malachite' by Umka Type (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: posters, headlines, packaging, stickers, event promos, grunge, playful, handmade, rugged, retro, add grit, create impact, handmade feel, vintage texture, blobby, inked, roughened, irregular, soft-cornered.
A heavy, right-leaning display face with compact proportions and chunky strokes. Letterforms are built from rounded, slightly squashed shapes with softly tapered joins and a subtly uneven rhythm. The defining feature is the distressed contour: edges are consistently ragged and pebbled, giving each stroke a worn, ink-squeezed silhouette rather than a clean outline. Counters are small and sometimes partially pinched, and overall spacing feels tight with lively, imperfect sidebearings.
Best suited to display settings such as posters, punchy headlines, album or event promotions, and packaging where texture is an asset. It also works well for badges, stickers, and branded phrases that benefit from a rough, tactile feel. Use generous sizing and spacing when clarity is critical.
The texture and slanted stance create a gritty, energetic tone that reads as handmade and mischievous rather than formal. It suggests stamped ink, rough printing, or weathered signage, adding attitude and warmth to short messages. The overall impression is bold and fun with a streetwise, slightly nostalgic edge.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum impact with a distressed, ink-heavy texture that feels human and imperfect. It aims to add personality and grit to contemporary display typography while keeping forms simple and readable at headline sizes.
The distressing is coherent across uppercase, lowercase, and numerals, which helps the set feel intentional rather than randomly degraded. At smaller sizes the textured perimeter can visually fill in, so the face reads strongest when given room and high contrast between type and background.