Slab serif typefaces shook up the typography world when they emerged in the 19th century with their bold, sturdy look. They are thick, strong, and can feature either rounded or angular serifs. Slab serifs were commonly used in early newspaper advertisements, as their blocky shapes stood out more than traditional serif or sans-serif typefaces.

One downside of slab serifs is that they can be difficult to pair with other typefaces due to their heavy, block-like forms, which may overpower surrounding text. They are also generally best suited for shorter text, such as headlines or titles.