Balium – Imprecise Variable is a contemporary sans-serif type system that take inspiration from printing imperfections and the methods once used to hide them. Designed from scratch as a variable family, it transforms “error” into a visual principle: areas that would normally be refined through stroke thinning are instead filled, producing a rhythm of density and distortion. The result is a texture that feels expressive and human against the backdrop of algorithmic precision.

The name comes from the Latin balium, linked to abbagliare—“to dazzle.” This sense of glare guides the design process: instead of removing detail, Balium builds form through accumulation, where excess becomes structure.

The family moves fluidly from Roman to Extra Bold, maintaining stable proportions throughout interpolation. Each weight amplifies its imperfections through both Normal and Filled variants, plus intentionally erratic kerning and italic counterparts. Despite these anomalies, the rhythm remains cohesive, making Balium suitable for both display and digital interface use.
Demo Version
• Format: variable  .ttf
• File:  BaliumDemo-FillBadKerningVF

Thanks to UnioDesigns for sharing with us this exquisite font! However, this Balium – Imprecise Variable is only a demo version available for personal use. So, if you want to access more its full features and license, go get the premium version as well!