Serif Normal Ihkam 4 is a light, normal width, high contrast, upright, short x-height font.
Keywords: books, editorial, magazines, literature, invitations, classic, formal, literary, refined, text setting, classicism, elegance, book typography, editorial tone, bracketing, hairlines, calligraphic, oldstyle figures, bookish.
This serif design features pronounced contrast between thick stems and fine hairlines, with crisp, bracketed serifs that taper to sharp terminals. Curves are smooth and slightly calligraphic in modulation, giving capitals a stately presence and lowercase a steady, text-forward rhythm. Proportions feel traditional, with relatively small lowercase and ample capitals; counters are open but not oversized, and spacing reads even and composed. Numerals appear oldstyle (varying heights with ascenders and descenders), reinforcing a book typographic voice.
Well-suited to long-form reading and editorial typography where a traditional serif texture is desired, such as books, essays, magazines, and cultural publications. It also performs nicely for formal printed materials—programs, invitations, and certificates—especially at medium to large sizes where its hairlines and bracketed serifs can shine.
Overall it conveys a polished, classical tone—confident, literary, and slightly ceremonial. The high-contrast sparkle and tapered details add elegance, while the restrained shapes keep it grounded and readable.
The design appears intended as a conventional text serif with a refined, high-contrast finish—aiming to evoke established book typography while adding a touch of elegance through tapered serifs, crisp hairlines, and oldstyle numerals.
Distinctive details include a sweeping Q tail, a strong diagonal stress in rounded forms, and sharp, decisive terminals on letters like a, f, and y. At larger sizes the hairlines and serifs create a lively texture; at smaller sizes the delicate joins and fine strokes may call for careful size and output considerations.