Kufam

Kufam is an Arabic–Latin family conceived for information design, including signage and wayfinding. Wael Morcos designed the Arabic and Artur Schmal the Latin. The project began within the Khatt Foundation’s Typographic Matchmaking in the City initiative, drawing Arabic inspiration from seventh-century Kufi inscriptions.

Its Latin also references early twentieth-century Amsterdam shop and sign lettering. This combination suits a bilingual heading system where both scripts should have a deliberate presence. Test destination names at realistic viewing sizes before choosing it for signs. The package contains upright and italic variable sources, so italic emphasis is supplied as a real design rather than merely a software slant.

Working with Kufam

Mock up a bilingual directional sign with the included Latin, then inspect the longest destination in upright and italic. Compare Noto Kufi Arabic for another Kufi option and IBM Plex Sans Arabic for a different information-design voice. Separate weight from slant when judging emphasis: a darker italic can change both line length and apparent density. Proof the sign at its intended viewing distance.

Files, styles and coverage

The original source is variable. The preview provides 12 static positions at weights 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900. The ZIP keeps the original variable TTF files, including continuous weight selection in compatible applications. Separate italic source files are included. Version: 1.301. The supplied font covers Arabic and Latin.

Explore Arabic and Latin projects and other Kufi fonts. Prepare a sample with the Arabic keyboard; our guide to choosing an Arabic font covers selection and proofing.

To explore width rather than upright-versus-italic emphasis, compare Firjar’s 75–125 width axis. Its preview uses width 75; inspect the downloaded variable original before judging the wider forms against a Kufam sign.

For a compact, box-like poster title, compare Layla Boxer’s rectangular construction with Kufam. Boxer supplies one Regular 400 style and no separate italic. Test the full phrase as a display choice; keep Kufam’s variable upright and italic designs in view when the project also needs a broader information hierarchy.

License and original files

The ZIP includes the original files and the exact SIL Open Font License 1.1. Personal and commercial use are permitted under its terms. Retain the license when redistributing, respect reserved names and do not sell the font alone. See the official source for this version.