ITC Lubalin Graph, designed by Herb Lubalin and drawn by Antonio DiSpigna in 1974, is a distinctive slab serif with strong geometric structure and square serifs. Originally intended for display use, it’s bold, architectural, and perfectly suited for impactful headlines, posters, and logos.
Because ITC Lubalin Graph is a licensed ITC typeface, many designers look for alternatives that preserve its geometric slab feel but come with different personalities, weights, or licensing options.
Here’s our curated list of 7 typefaces similar to ITC Lubalin Graph, covering both premium and free choices.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| ITC Lubalin Graph | Image preview here |
| Rockwell | Image preview here |
| Neutraface Slab | Image preview here |
| Archer Bold | Image preview here |
| Serifa | Image preview here |
| Zilla Slab | Image preview here |
| Roboto Slab | Image preview here |
| Slabo | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. Rockwell (Monotype)
- Style: Geometric Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Shares Lubalin Graph’s square serifs and strong, uniform strokes.
- Key Difference: Slightly more mechanical with less playful character spacing.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Monotype Fonts.
2. Neutraface Slab (House Industries)
- Style: Geometric Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Keeps the geometric precision with modernized proportions.
- Key Difference: More contemporary detailing and cleaner curves.
- Price & Availability: Paid — House Industries.
3. Archer Bold (Hoefler & Co.)
- Style: Rounded Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Retains slab serif boldness with rounded terminals for a softer tone.
- Key Difference: Friendlier and more approachable than Lubalin Graph’s crisp geometry.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Hoefler & Co.
Free Alternatives
4. Serifa (Adrian Frutiger)
- Style: Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Balanced slab structure with squared serifs and even stroke weight.
- Key Difference: More humanist touches in letterforms.
- Price & Availability: Sometimes bundled with design software; check licensing.
5. Zilla Slab (Mozilla Foundation)
- Style: Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Thick, squared-off serifs and robust geometric structure.
- Key Difference: Open-source, optimized for digital text.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
6. Roboto Slab (Christian Robertson)
- Style: Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Clean geometric slab style with versatile weights.
- Key Difference: More neutral for body text, wider character set.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
7. Slabo (John Hudson)
- Style: Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Square slab style for headlines with a clear, modern tone.
- Key Difference: Limited size-specific versions (Slabo 27px, Slabo 13px).
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score (1–5) | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwell | ★★★★★ | Paid | Branding, impactful headlines |
| Neutraface Slab | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Modern geometric designs |
| Archer Bold | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Friendly, approachable branding |
| Serifa | ★★★★☆ | Free/Paid | Balanced editorial design |
| Zilla Slab | ★★★★☆ | Free | Web and UI projects |
| Roboto Slab | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Body text and headings |
| Slabo | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Headlines and digital banners |
Conclusion
For a near-identical premium match, Rockwell delivers Lubalin Graph’s bold geometric spirit.
If you’re looking for free and flexible, Zilla Slab offers excellent character for modern projects.
For UI or app typography, Roboto Slab is a clean, dependable choice.
Typeface Similar to Font 