Distressed Obsa 4 is a regular weight, normal width, high contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: posters, book covers, film titles, branding, packaging, vintage, gritty, noir, handmade, tactile, aged print, dramatic tone, handmade feel, period flavor, roughened, inked, weathered, irregular, textured.
A distressed serif with sturdy, bracketed forms and strongly textured contours that make each stroke edge appear worn or ink-bleeded. Letterforms are generally upright and traditionally proportioned, but the outlines are intentionally irregular, with nicks, bumps, and uneven terminals that create a rough print impression. The texture is consistent across caps, lowercase, and numerals, producing a lively rhythm and visible “bite” into counters and stems, especially in rounded shapes.
This font suits display applications where texture and mood are assets—posters, book or album covers, film/title cards, and brand marks that want an aged or handmade feel. It can work for short editorial elements like headlines or pull quotes, while longer body copy is best reserved for larger sizes where the distressed detailing remains clear.
The overall tone feels vintage and gritty, like aged letterpress, stamped packaging, or a well-used typewriter ribbon pushed past its prime. It suggests drama and atmosphere—rugged, slightly ominous, and tactile—rather than polished refinement.
The design appears intended to deliver a classic serif silhouette through a deliberately degraded surface, mimicking worn printing and imperfect ink transfer. It prioritizes character and atmosphere over neutral readability, offering an instantly recognizable, timeworn voice for thematic typography.
In continuous text, the heavy edge texture becomes a defining feature and can visually darken paragraphs, especially at smaller sizes or on low-contrast backgrounds. The irregularity adds character but also introduces subtle shimmer, so spacing and line length will influence legibility and the perceived roughness.