Slab Contrasted Vafu 7 is a very bold, normal width, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Malaga' by Emigre, 'Floris' by LucasFonts, 'Mafra Condensed' by Monotype, 'PT Serif Pro' by ParaType, and 'LFT Etica Sheriff' by TypeTogether (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, branding, packaging, signage, assertive, vintage, editorial, rugged, collegiate, impact, heritage tone, sturdy legibility, headline voice, bracketed, soft terminals, ink-trap feel, compact, chunky.
A heavy, slab-serif design with broad, blocky serifs and subtly bracketed joins that soften the transitions into the stems. Counters are relatively compact, creating dense black shapes, while curved letters show a gentle swelling and taper that gives the face a slightly organic, press-like rhythm. The lowercase is sturdy and rounded, with a single-storey a and g and a prominent, teardrop-like ear on g; the numerals are equally weighty and anchored by firm slabs. Overall spacing and proportions feel built for impact, with sturdy verticals and confident, simplified details.
Best suited to headlines, titles, and short bursts of text where weight and presence matter. It works well for branding and packaging that want a heritage or handcrafted impression, and for signage or labels where sturdy letterforms help maintain clarity at a distance. For longer text, it will be most comfortable at larger sizes where the compact counters can breathe.
The tone is bold and emphatic with a nostalgic, poster-and-print sensibility. It evokes classic editorial headlines, collegiate signage, and heritage branding—confident and a bit rugged rather than sleek or minimalist. The softened joins and full-bodied shapes add warmth, keeping the boldness from feeling harsh.
The design appears intended to deliver strong, classic slab-serif authority with a warm, slightly vintage texture. It prioritizes bold legibility and recognizable shapes, combining robust slabs with softened transitions to keep the overall color dense but approachable.
The face maintains a consistent slab treatment across caps, lowercase, and figures, with rounded interior shapes that preserve readability at display sizes. Curves (C, S, G, O/Q) have a slightly sculpted feel, suggesting a traditional metal-type or wood-type influence without becoming overtly decorative.