Compacta Black
Designed by Fred Lambert
| Font Name | Compacta Black |
| Style | Regular |
| Category | Sans Serif |
| Designer | Fred Lambert |
| Copyright | Copyright 1990 as an unpublished work by Bitstream Inc. All rights reserved. Confidential. |
| License | Free for Personal Use |
| Total Character | 228 |
| Recommended Line Height | 1.24 |
| Ascent | 1007 |
| Descent | 236 |
| Units Per em | 1000 |
| Total Vertical Range | 1243 |
| Max Advance Width | 1630 |
| Max Advance Height | N/A |
| Underline Position | -126 |
| Similar Fonts | Impact, Haettenschweiler, Helvetica Compressed, Schaftmeister |
Compacta Black Font Details : Font Free Download
Compacta Black was designed by Fred Lambert for Letraset in 1963, marking it as one of the first original typefaces released by the iconic dry-transfer lettering company. This typeface is a highly condensed, flat-sided sans serif that draws inspiration from the 19th-century wood types, optimized for tight spatial requirements without losing visual power. The Black weight specifically offers an intense, heavy presence that commands immediate attention in any graphic layout.
Throughout the late 20th century, Compacta Black became a staple for magazine headlines, record covers, and cinematic posters due to its authoritative and industrial aesthetic. Its unique verticality and narrow proportions allow designers to set large-scale type that remains legible even when packed closely together. Today, it remains a favorite for those seeking a vintage-yet-modern look that conveys strength, urgency, and professional impact.
Compacta Black Best Uses
Perfect for bold, space-efficient magazine and newspaper headlines.
Ideal for high-impact cinematic posters and promotional advertisements.
Strong choice for wordmarks that require a sense of power and stability.
Excellent for striking banners and call-to-action sections on high-contrast websites.
Compacta Black Glyphs
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Package Size: 25.3 KB
Available Formats: .OTF