Serif Normal Bonal 12 is a bold, wide, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Capital' and 'Forrest' by Fenotype, 'Hawking' by Latinotype, 'Bogue' and 'Bogue Slab' by Melvastype, and 'Portada' by TypeTogether (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, editorial, packaging, posters, branding, friendly, retro, bookish, confident, warm, warmth, impact, traditional feel, display legibility, vintage tone, bracketed, softened, rounded, sturdy, ink-trap feel.
A sturdy serif with generous proportions, rounded joins, and softly bracketed terminals that give the strokes a slightly swollen, cushioned look. The weight is carried consistently through the stems with moderate thick–thin modulation, and counters stay open despite the heavy color. Serifs read as compact and rounded rather than sharp, with a subtly flared, oldstyle-like flavor across curves and diagonals. Numerals and capitals share the same chunky, smooth-edged construction, producing a dense but even texture in lines of text.
Best suited to headlines, subheads, and short-form editorial settings where a bold serif texture is desirable. It can work for packaging and branding that wants a traditional foundation with a friendly, retro twist, and it holds up well in poster-style typography where its rounded serifs add character.
The overall tone feels warm and approachable, with a vintage, print-forward character. Its softened edges and confident mass suggest a friendly editorial voice—more personable than austere—while still reading as traditionally grounded. The look evokes classic book and newspaper typography interpreted in a heavier, more display-ready way.
The design appears intended to deliver classic serif familiarity while increasing warmth and impact through heavy strokes and rounded, bracketed finishing. It aims for strong legibility at display sizes with a distinctive, vintage-leaning texture that feels crafted rather than clinical.
The rhythm in running text is tight and high-contrast in color, emphasizing word shapes and giving headlines a strong presence. Distinctive rounded serifs and terminals reduce brittleness at large sizes and help the type maintain a cohesive, “inked” personality.