Slab Contrasted Ismo 8 is a bold, narrow, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Gimbal Egyptian' by AVP, 'Miura Slab' by DSType, 'Vigor DT' by DTP Types, 'Brix Slab Condensed' by HVD Fonts, 'Faraon' by Latinotype, 'TheSerif' by LucasFonts, 'Fenomen Slab' by Signature Type Foundry, and 'LFT Etica Sheriff' by TypeTogether (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, sports branding, packaging, mastheads, sturdy, vintage, assertive, workmanlike, collegiate, impact, authority, space saving, classic display, editorial presence, blocky, bracketed, engraved, compact, robust.
This typeface is a compact serif with heavy, squared slabs and a generally even stroke weight. Serifs are prominent and mostly bracketed, producing a chiseled, poster-like silhouette and strong horizontal emphasis. Counters are relatively tight and apertures are moderately closed, which increases the overall density and color on the page. The lowercase follows a traditional serif structure with a two-storey “a” and “g,” while figures are sturdy and highly uniform in presence, designed to read clearly at display sizes.
Best suited for headlines, mastheads, posters, and branding where a strong, compact voice is needed. It also fits well in sports or collegiate-style graphics, labels, and packaging that benefit from bold, blocky serifs and high visual authority.
The overall tone feels sturdy and traditional, with a distinctly vintage, print-era confidence. Its dense rhythm and emphatic serifs suggest institutional and editorial cues—serious, declarative, and slightly nostalgic rather than delicate or refined.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum impact in limited horizontal space, using pronounced slab serifs and dense proportions to create a firm, attention-grabbing presence. It prioritizes solidity and legibility at display sizes, evoking classic printed signage and editorial typography.
At larger sizes the slab details and bracketed joins become a defining feature, creating a strong typographic texture. In longer passages the weight and tight interior spaces can feel intense, making it especially suited to short bursts of text where impact is desired.