Serif Normal Poled 8 is a bold, wide, very high contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Dutch 801' by Bitstream, 'Times Eighteen' by Linotype, 'Times New Roman' by Monotype, 'Newton' by ParaType, and 'Nimbus Roman No. 9' by URW Type Foundry (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, magazines, book covers, branding, packaging, editorial, luxury, authoritative, dramatic, classic, elegance, prestige, display impact, editorial clarity, classic styling, didone-like, hairline serifs, bracketed, vertical stress, crisp.
A high-contrast serif with strong vertical stems and sharply thinned hairlines, giving a distinctly refined, print-oriented rhythm. Serifs are crisp and mostly bracketed, with fine entry/exit strokes that taper to points on several letters. Curves show a pronounced vertical stress, and counters are relatively tight in the heavier forms, producing a dense, high-impact color in text. Uppercase proportions feel stately and slightly extended, while the lowercase balances compact bowls with firm, upright construction; figures follow the same contrasty, engraved-like logic.
Well suited to large-scale typography such as headlines, magazine features, book covers, and identity work where a sophisticated serif is desired. It can also work for pull quotes and short blocks of text in editorial layouts, especially when paired with generous leading and clean reproduction.
The overall tone is formal and editorial, with a sense of luxury and authority. Its dramatic contrast and sharp detailing evoke fashion headlines, literary mastheads, and premium packaging where elegance and confidence are key.
The letterforms suggest an intention to deliver a classic, premium serif optimized for impact—combining traditional proportions with pronounced contrast and refined hairlines to create an elegant, attention-grabbing typographic voice.
The design reads best where strokes have room to breathe: hairlines and small interior details can visually recede at smaller sizes, while at display sizes they create a polished, high-end sparkle. The ampersand and numerals share the same crisp, high-contrast treatment, reinforcing a cohesive, classic voice across mixed text and titling.