Slab Square Udlun 3 is a regular weight, normal width, low contrast, italic, normal x-height font.
Keywords: editorial, magazines, posters, headlines, branding, retro, authoritative, sporty, scholarly, strong italic, clear emphasis, modern slab, display impact, slab serif, bracketless, square serifs, oblique stress, ball terminals.
A slanted slab-serif with sturdy, square-ended serifs and generally uniform stroke weight. The letterforms show broad, confident curves paired with flat terminals, producing a firm, grounded texture in text. Counters are open and generous, with rounded bowls on letters like O and Q, while the serifs stay blunt and minimally bracketed. Lowercase forms follow a familiar book-italic structure with single-storey a and g, a pronounced angled entry on several strokes, and a descender on g that finishes in a rounded terminal. Numerals are clear and oldstyle-leaning in feel, with simple, bold shapes and consistent slab finishing.
Well-suited to editorial typography where an italic needs to carry emphasis without becoming fragile, such as magazines, features, and pull quotes. The sturdy slabs and even color also make it effective for display use—posters, event graphics, and branding—where a bold, energetic slant is desirable. It can also serve as a characterful companion italic in systems that want a strong, modernized slab-serf voice.
The overall tone reads energetic and assertive—classic but not delicate—combining editorial seriousness with a slightly sporty, mid-century flavor. The italic angle adds motion and emphasis, while the blocky slabs keep the voice practical and confident rather than calligraphic.
The design appears intended to deliver a forceful, legible italic with slab-serif stability—providing emphasis with motion while maintaining a solid, structured footprint. Its squared serifs and low-contrast strokes suggest a pragmatic, contemporary take on classic slab forms for both text emphasis and attention-grabbing display.
In running text the rhythm is smooth and even, with rounded joins and minimal contrast creating a steady gray value. The caps feel robust and poster-friendly, while the lowercase maintains readability through open apertures and straightforward construction. The design balances soft curves with hard slab endings, giving it a distinctive mix of warmth and structure.