Mastadoni is a bold headliner/masthead typeface, with high vertical contrast in a Didone style. That's the starting point at least. There's much more to this font than another modern clone. It is a specialized (only one weight) typeface that comes in five optical grades. Use G1 at very large sizes and G5 at smaller sizes. The grades can be combined so that the thins of type set at different point sizes appear the same thickness - a very useful feature for magazine layouts. Optical grades could also be used in circumstances where a logo needs to be size-specific; the text on your bistro sign can afford to be more delicate than that on your coffee cups. This is a typeface with a big x-height, small cap-height and stubby ascenders and descenders, which contribute to an overall appearance somewhat different from must Didones, and make for some interesting layout possibilities in tight spaces. Mastadoni features a number of useful OpenType features. All fonts include standard ligatures and automatic fractions. In the discretionary ligature feature, you'll find the esoteric "percent off" glyph. Just type '%ff' with dlig engaged and there it is! Case-sensitive forms are available in all the fonts. The contextual alternates feature performs a subtle trick that resolves an optical illusion whereby two ascenders next to each other appear to be different heights. The Roman and Italic styles have a different group of stylistic sets as follows: Roman: SS01 substitutes a less decorative 4; SS02 is a different eszett; SS03 substitues the # with an attractive numero glyph; and SS04 gives an alternate K. Italic: SS01 and SS03 are the same as in the Romans; SS02 gives you more bulbous variants of v, w, and y letters; SS04 is a single storey g; SS05 changes C, G and S to non-ball-terminal varieties; and SS06 changes the swash versions of E, L, N and Q (when the swash feature is engaged). Speaking of the swash feature, the italic fonts feature swash capitals from A to Z, and swash variations for lower case h k m n v w and z. Lastly, the discretionary ligature feature in the italic fonts has vi, wi, KA and RA ligatures. Mastadoni is a typeface that would find itself immediately at home in glossy magazines, while offering a different aesthetic palette from the more standard choices of Didones.

In the late 1930s, old Egyptiennes (or Italiennes) returned to the collective consciousness of European printers and type houses — perhaps because political news were front a centre, especially in France where Le Figaro newspaper was seeing record circulation numbers. In 1939 both Monotype and Lettergieterij Amsterdam thought of the same idea: Make a new typeface similar to the reverse stress slab shapes that make up the titles of newspapers like Le Figaro and Le Frondeur. Both foundries intended to call their new type Figaro. Monotype finished theirs first, so they ended up with the name, and their type was already published when Stefan Schlesinger finished his take for the Amsterdam foundry. Schlesinger’s type was renamed Hidalgo (Spanish for a lower nobleman, ‘son of something’) and published in 1940 as ‘a very happy variation on an old motif’. Although it wasn’t a commercial success at the time, it was well received and considered subtler and more refined than the similar types available, Figaro and Playbill. In the Second World War, the Germans banned the use of the type, and Hidalgo never really recovered. Upon closer inspection, Schlesinger’s work on Hidalgo was much more Euro-sophisticated and ahead of its time than the too-wooden cut of Figaro and the thick tightness of Playbill. It has a modern high contrast, a squarer skeleton, contour cuts that work similarly outside and inside, and airy and minimal solutions to the more complicated shapes like G, K, M, N, Q and W. It is also much more aware of, and more accommodating to, the picket-fence effect the thick top slabs create in setting. Basilio (named after the signing teacher in Mozart’s Figaro) is the digital revival and major expansion of Hidalgo. With nearly 600 glyphs, it boasts Pan-European language support (most Latin languages, as well as Cyrillic and Greek), and a few OpenType tricks that gel it all together to make a very useful design tool. Stefan Schlesigner was born in Vienna in 1896. He moved to the Netherlands in 1925, where he worked for Van Houten’s chocolate, Metz department store, printing firm Trio and many other clients. He died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz in 1944. Digital revivals and expansions of two of his other designs, Minuet and Serena, have also been published by Canada Type.

Introducing Goldwyre, an extraordinary typeface meticulously crafted to captivate and inspire. With its seamless blend of elements from medieval to modern times, Goldwyre stands out as a truly unique font that embodies the essence of timelessness and elegance. Drawing inspiration from the intricate beauty of Gothic Blackletter and enriched with bold calligraphic strokes, this typeface exudes a mesmerizing charm that effortlessly bridges the gap between the past and the present. What sets Goldwyre apart from other typefaces is its ability to seamlessly combine medieval and modern aesthetics. By skillfully integrating the ornate and elaborate forms of Gothic Blackletter with contemporary design elements, Goldwyre offers a truly captivating typographic experience. This fusion of styles creates a font that is both classic and contemporary, making it an exceptional choice for projects that require a touch of sophistication and versatility. In addition to its captivating design, Goldwyre is available in two weights: regular and bold. The regular weight showcases the delicate intricacies of the typeface, while the bold weight accentuates its bold calligraphic strokes, adding a sense of strength and impact to any design. This versatility allows designers to explore a range of creative possibilities, whether it's designing eye-catching posters, compelling marketing materials, engaging titles, stylish T-shirt designs, or attention-grabbing headlines. Goldwyre is also a highly functional typeface, offering extensive multilingual support to cater to diverse audiences. It features a wide range of characters and diacritical marks, ensuring that it can effectively communicate in various languages and scripts. This broad language coverage expands the possibilities for global projects, making Goldwyre an excellent choice for international brands, publications, and design agencies. When conceptualizing Goldwyre, our design team aimed to create a typeface that harmoniously blends the grandeur of medieval typography with the sleekness of modern design. We wanted to pay homage to the rich history of typography while infusing it with a contemporary twist, resulting in a font that seamlessly integrates into both traditional and modern contexts. The deliberate fusion of styles and the meticulous attention to detail in Goldwyre's creation reflect our passion for typography and our commitment to delivering exceptional design solutions. Goldwyre was born out of a desire to provide designers and creatives with a captivating and stylish typographic solution that effortlessly merges the beauty of the past with the demands of the present. We believe that design is a powerful tool for self-expression, and with Goldwyre, we sought to empower designers to create visually striking and evocative designs that leave a lasting impression. Its timeless appeal and versatile nature make it the perfect choice for those who seek to elevate their projects and make a bold statement. Pairing Goldwyre with related families or other typefaces can further enhance its visual impact. It complements well with minimalist sans-serif fonts, such as Futura or Helvetica, providing a striking contrast between the intricate forms of Goldwyre and the clean lines of the sans-serif typefaces. This combination creates a harmonious balance, allowing designers to play with different aesthetics and create visually dynamic compositions. In conclusion, Goldwyre is more than just a typeface; it's a captivating journey through time. With its seamless blend of medieval and modern elements, extensive multilingual support, and versatile weights, Goldwyre empowers designers to create visually stunning designs across a wide range of applications. Whether you're designing posters, marketing materials, titles, T-shirt designs, or headlines, Goldwyre is the ultimate choice for those seeking to infuse their projects with a touch of timeless elegance and captivating beauty. Experience the magic of Goldwyre and unlock the true potential of your designs.