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Argo

Compared to dtl Argo, many sans serifs look monotonous. To understand the quintessence of Gerard Unger’s typeface, the sans-serif principle must first be explained.
         Elementary for a sans serif is the small difference between thick and thin, i.e., a low contrast. An average serif font, on the other hand, has a high contrast. This large difference between thick and thin in serif type is believed to increase legibility. The contrast is represented in the serifs. Serifs have the pleasant side effect of reinforcing lines; they more or less form rails. The high contrast and related serifs make serifed type a good choice for longer texts.

DTL Argo lowercase a in IKARUS format

         Digitization of the lowercase a of dtl Argo Regular in ikarus format

As the contrast in a letter is lowered, the serifs must be adjusted accordingly. In the case of extremely low contrast, the need for serifs becomes small, as they get (more or less) the thickness of the stems. A letter with such serifs is called a slab serif or Egyptian. When these serifs are removed, a sans-serif is the result.

DTL Argo lowercase a in IKARUS format

        Overview of dtl Argo Black in ikarus format

Letters with the lowest possible contrast still show a difference between thick and thin. This contrast is necessary to make letters optically the same thickness, which is different from measurably the same thickness.

Stamp with DTL ArgoStamp with DTL Argo

Stamps, designed in 1999 by Piet Gerards and lettered with dtl Argo

Unger has designed a sans-serif with dtl Argo, the contrast of which is considerably higher than that of, for example, Gill Sans, Helvetica, or Frutiger. This explains why Unger’s design is less monotonous than its predecessors.

DTL Argo on the New York Stock Exchange

         One of the first lighthouse customers for dtl Argo was the New York Stock Exchange

By definition, dtl Argo belongs to the category of sans serifs, but when viewed closely, its contrast falls between serifed type and sans serifs. dtl Argo can be classified in a group that, for example, also includes Hermann Zapf’s Optima. Letters belonging to this group of type are suitable for display purposes as well as body text.

DTL Argo Light

Light

DTL Argo Regular

Regular

DTL Argo Medium

Medium

DTL Argo Bold

Bold

DTL Argo Black

Black

DTL Argo Heavy

Heavy

DTL Argo Ultra Heavy

Ultra Heavy

DTL Argo

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Last update: 22 December 2023. Copyright © Dutch Type Library, 1998–2023. All rights reserved

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