Serif Normal Bulam 9 is a very bold, normal width, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Ketchup Manis' by Kereatype and 'Blacker Shield' by Variatype (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: posters, packaging, headlines, branding, children’s media, playful, retro, friendly, bouncy, whimsical, display impact, approachability, retro charm, playful tone, rounded, soft, blobby, bulbous, cheerful.
A very heavy display serif with soft, inflated contours and prominent bracketed serifs that read as rounded “feet” and “caps” rather than sharp terminals. Strokes are broadly uniform with gentle modulation, and curves dominate the construction, giving counters a plump, organic feel. Letterforms are compact and sturdy, with generous rounding at joins and corners; diagonals and arms thicken into teardrop-like terminals, and the overall rhythm feels buoyant rather than rigid. Numerals match the same chunky, rounded treatment for a cohesive, poster-ready texture.
Works best for headlines, posters, packaging, and branding systems that benefit from a bold, friendly presence. It can also suit children’s or entertainment-oriented design, short callouts, and display settings where the rounded serifs and chunky texture are a feature rather than a distraction.
The overall tone is warm and humorous, with a retro novelty flavor that suggests comfort, fun, and approachability. Its soft swelling shapes and friendly serifs make it feel more like hand-shaped signage than formal book typography, leaning into an upbeat, characterful voice.
Likely drawn to deliver maximum impact with a soft-edged, approachable serif voice, balancing classic serif cues with exaggerated, rounded terminals for a playful display personality. The consistent, inflated forms prioritize recognizability and charm in large sizes.
The heaviest areas tend to collect at terminals and serif junctions, creating a distinctive “puffed” silhouette across words. In longer sample lines it produces strong dark color and lively word shapes, best where personality is welcome and spacing can stay open.