Saltburn

Saltburn is a railway-inspired variable sans serif designed for track and rail. From the outset, it draws on the British interpretation of the sans serif model, particularly Edward Johnston’s Underground Alphabet (1916) and Eric Gill’s subsequent Gill Sans (1928), which encapsulated a uniquely British take on the sans serif – a humanist alternative to the more geometric styles emerging on the continent.

Saltburn strives to blend into the "railway style" adopted by nationalised networks across Europe. Aiming to strike a balance between three particular railway networks: British Rail, the Dutch NS, and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) – all of which employ a similar, neutral house style. It combines humanist features; open counters and sharp terminals, with grotesque proportions. The default character set features a distinctive double-story 'g' and a chiselled 't' as well as more standard alternatives depending on taste. Saltburn also offers an extensive selection of figures, fleurons, symbols, and pictograms to enhance typographic possibilities. The family spans nine weights, from Thin to Heavy, with a variable version providing weight and italic customisation.

The name references Saltburn-by-the-Sea, a small seaside town in the East Riding of Yorkshire, which owes its development to the Stockton & Darlington Railway – the very first public steam railway in operation.