Slab Contrasted Ihku 7 is a very bold, wide, medium contrast, italic, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Archer' by Hoefler & Co. (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, sports branding, packaging, editorial, athletic, retro, confident, punchy, impact, nostalgia, readability, branding, energy, slab serif, bracketed, rounded, ink-trap, ball terminal.
A very heavy, right-leaning slab serif with broad proportions and a compact, tightly packed rhythm. Strokes show clear, moderate contrast, with thick main stems and sturdy, bracketed slabs that often end in rounded corners. Counters are generous but slightly compressed by the weight, and joins frequently show soft ink-trap-like notches that keep interiors open. Terminals vary between blunt slabs and round, teardrop-like finishes, giving the face a lively, tactile texture even at large sizes.
Best suited for short to medium-length display settings such as headlines, campaign graphics, posters, and impactful editorial openers. The weight and slabs make it effective for sports branding and bold packaging where strong shapes are needed, while the moderate contrast and open counters help maintain clarity in larger text blocks.
The overall tone is bold and energetic with a vintage, sports-and-print sensibility. Its assertive weight and slanted stance feel action-oriented and confident, while the rounded details and soft bracket transitions add a friendly, slightly nostalgic warmth rather than a cold industrial mood.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum impact with a classic slab-serif foundation, combining robust, sign-painter-like mass with refined contrast and carefully shaped terminals. Its expressive slant and softened details suggest a goal of balancing authority with approachability for attention-grabbing typography.
The italics are not merely obliqued; several letters show active, calligraphic shaping, especially in the lowercase, where curved forms and terminals become more expressive. Figures are heavy and display-like, with strong silhouettes and consistent slab handling that keeps them visually aligned with the letters.