Slab Normal Elly 9 is a very bold, wide, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Osiris' by Berthold, 'FF Kievit Slab' by FontFont, 'Capita' and 'Equip Slab' by Hoftype, and 'Cabrito' by insigne (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, packaging, editorial, signage, sturdy, friendly, retro, confident, impact, durability, readability, versatility, warmth, blocky, bracketed, soft-cornered, compact, chunky.
A heavy slab-serif with broad proportions, large counters, and a compact, even rhythm. Strokes are uniformly thick and terminate in substantial, squared serifs that read slightly softened and often subtly bracketed, giving the letters a molded, robust feel rather than a sharp geometric one. Curves are generous and well-filled, with smooth joins and sturdy bowls; the overall texture is dense and steady, maintaining clarity despite the weight. Figures are bold and rounded with strong presence and consistent width behavior across the set.
Best suited to short, high-impact settings such as headlines, posters, cover lines, and branding elements where a bold, dependable slab presence is desirable. It can work for editorial pull quotes and signage, especially when given adequate spacing to keep counters open and the overall texture from becoming too dark.
The tone is grounded and reassuring, with a friendly, retro-leaning authority. Its thick slabs and rounded contours project confidence and approachability at the same time, evoking classic display and headline typography without feeling overly decorative.
The design appears intended as a practical, workhorse slab with a strong display voice—prioritizing solidity, clarity, and an even typographic texture. Its softened, bracketed slab details suggest an aim for warmth and familiarity while preserving a straightforward, utilitarian structure.
In text, the heavy color creates a strong typographic voice and a noticeable, even “stripe” across lines. The slab terminals and broad letterforms help maintain legibility at larger sizes, while the compact interior spaces suggest it will prefer generous tracking and leading when used for longer settings.