Designer Tim Holloway created the font 1994. Karim was designed in response to a demand for a traditional text face adapted to setting Quranic commentaries. Karim font is the standard character set version.
Within the constraints of the standard character set and typesetting program, the design aims to recall the style and fluency of manuscript Naskh without, however, reproducing the idiosyncracies of any particular calligrapher.
The line weight chosen is heavier than usual for a traditional light face in order to benefit the reproduction of small size Tafsir text. A tall kaf, deep descenders and slightly inclined alifs and lams all help to suggest the cursiveness of manuscript. The type-style that emerges is characterised by restraint and clarity: qualities suited to Karim’s original purpose, and ones that recommend it for wider use.
Karim font contains two weights, Karim light and Karim light Latin Figures.
Karim is part of the Linotype Library.
Karim is a trademark of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, which may be registered in certain jurisdictions, exclusively licensed through Linotype GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG.
