Blackletter Siko 1 is a regular weight, normal width, very high contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: posters, album covers, headlines, logotypes, certificates, medieval, ecclesiastical, heraldic, dramatic, authoritative, historic flavor, display impact, ceremonial tone, gothic texture, calligraphic feel, angular, ornate, calligraphic, fractured, pointed.
A sharply faceted display face built from compact, vertical strokes and broken curves, with strong thick–thin modulation that mimics broad-nib calligraphy. Letterforms are constructed from angular joins, diamond-like terminals, and intermittent “fractures” where curves turn into straight segments, creating a crisp, chiseled texture. Counters are relatively tight and often asymmetrical, while uppercase forms show more flourish and interior notching than the lowercase. Numerals follow the same blackletter logic, mixing sturdy stems with pointed turns and occasional curved sweeps.
Best suited to headlines and short display lines where its fractured strokes and decorative terminals can be appreciated. It works well for posters, event titles, editorial openers, packaging accents, and identity marks that aim for historical or gothic associations. For longer passages, larger sizes and careful tracking help maintain clarity.
The overall tone is historical and ceremonial, evoking manuscript lettering, church signage, and heraldic inscriptions. Its dense rhythm and high-contrast sparkle feel formal and emphatic, with a dramatic presence that reads as traditional, authoritative, and slightly austere.
The design appears intended to reinterpret traditional blackletter calligraphy with crisp, high-contrast strokes and a consistent angular system. It prioritizes historical atmosphere and visual impact over neutral readability, offering a distinctive texture for dramatic, title-driven typography.
In text settings the strong vertical cadence produces a dark, continuous color, while the sharp terminals and narrow apertures can make small sizes feel busy. The face performs best when given generous size and spacing so the internal cuts and pointed details remain distinct.