Dekal

Dekal font.

Dekal is a striped display typeface with a strong late-1960s and early-1970s feel. Its parallel thick-and-thin line structure gives words a dimensional, dry-transfer look, making it most useful for short, high-impact typography rather than everyday reading.

About Dekal Font

Dekal was designed by Jonathan Hill for The Northern Block. The foundry describes it as a revival of Blackline, a typeface originally designed by Wolf Magin in 1969. Its character comes from stacked parallel lines that create a retro-future texture across each letter. The result feels graphic, mechanical, and decorative without needing extra effects.

Use Dekal where the lettering is meant to be noticed: posters, album-style graphics, packaging concepts, editorial titles, signage mockups, badges, stickers, and experimental brand headlines. Because the design depends on fine internal lines, test it at the exact size you plan to use. It can lose clarity in small UI labels, dense paragraphs, or low-resolution images, so keep it for short words, names, and display settings.

Features

• Striped display letterforms built from thick and thin parallel lines
• Retro-future style inspired by dry-transfer lettering from the late 1960s and early 1970s
• Regular TTF font file for desktop testing and preview use
• Best suited to large headings, logos-in-progress, posters, and decorative title work

Best Uses

• Poster headlines
• Album-style artwork
• Packaging concepts
• Editorial titles
• Retro-future graphics
• Badges, stickers, and signage mockups
• Experimental branding tests

License Information

The license text states that use of The Northern Block font software by unlicensed parties is expressly prohibited. Do not treat Dekal as free for commercial use. For client work, web embedding, apps, product packaging, branding, merchandise, or any professional project, get the correct license from The Northern Block or an authorized marketplace.

Designer and Foundry

Dekal is credited to Jonathan Hill and The Northern Block, an independent type foundry founded by Hill.

Usage Tips

For best results, preview Dekal in large sizes and with short text. Try uppercase titles, one-word marks, and compact phrases first. Pair it with a plain sans serif for body copy so the striped display letters can stay readable and visually distinct. Give Dekal generous spacing and a clean background so the parallel-line construction stays crisp instead of turning into visual clutter. Large display sizes show the stripe detail best.

FAQ

What kind of font is Dekal?

Dekal is a retro striped display font. It is made for bold visual settings such as posters, titles, packaging concepts, and short decorative text.

Who designed Dekal?

Dekal is credited to Jonathan Hill and The Northern Block.

Is Dekal good for body text?

No. Dekal is better for short display text. Its internal line pattern can make long paragraphs or small interface text harder to read.

Can I use Dekal commercially?

Do not use it commercially unless you have the proper license. The license text says use by unlicensed parties is expressly prohibited.

What file format is included?

The listed font file is a TTF regular style.