Serif Normal Polab 4 is a bold, normal width, very high contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Albra' by BumbumType and 'Acta Deck', 'Acta Pro', 'Acta Pro Headline', and 'Cotford' by Monotype (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, editorial, magazine, branding, posters, dramatic, classic, formal, literary, impact, elegance, authority, heritage, sharp serifs, wedge terminals, bracketed serifs, sculpted curves, tight apertures.
A high-contrast serif with thick verticals and hairline joins, built around crisp wedge-like serifs and sharply tapered terminals. The outlines feel sculpted and slightly calligraphic, with teardrop and ball-like details in places and pronounced stroke modulation through curves. Counters are relatively compact and apertures tend to be narrow, giving the face a dense, authoritative color in text. Proportions are more display-leaning than purely bookish, with lively letterfit and noticeable variation in glyph widths across the set.
Best suited to headlines, subheads, and editorial typography where contrast and sharp serif detailing can be appreciated. It can add a premium, traditional voice to branding and packaging, and works well for posters and pull quotes where a strong typographic silhouette is desirable.
The overall tone is elegant and commanding, mixing classical serif formality with a slightly theatrical, headline-forward presence. It reads as refined and editorial, but with enough sharpness and contrast to feel dramatic and attention-getting.
The design appears intended to deliver a conventional serif reading model with heightened contrast and sharpened terminals for stronger impact. It emphasizes elegance and authority while preserving familiar letterforms for clear recognition in editorial and brand contexts.
Round letters show strong internal contrast and tapered endings that create sparkle at larger sizes, while the heavier main strokes keep words anchored on the baseline. Numerals share the same high-contrast rhythm and look designed to stand up in headings alongside capitals.