Store Norske Jernskrift - Typeface based on Norway's 1929 number plate alphabet, expanded for use in branding, posters, and editorial projects.

A taxicab on Haukeliveien displaying number plates featuring the original Vertikal Jernskrift. Photograph: Sigurd Gran / Telemark Museum.

About

Store Norske Jernskrift is a typeface derived from the numerals used on Norway’s first official car number plates. On January 17, 1929, Norway introduced new regulations that standardised the typeface for all car number plates. This standard set was called Vertikal Jernskrift, meaning vertical iron letters. The design drew inspiration from local, hand-painted road signs that were common at the time. Most plates were manufactured by Christiania Chablon- & Stempelfabrikk (G. Enderle, 1904–1933) and Mignon Chablon- & Stempelfabrikk (Jallik Johnsen, Wilh Olsen, 1931–1958). Industrial vehicles were required to display their functions, such as "Rutevogn" (route vehicle), "Leievogn" (hire vehicle), or "Drosje" (taxicab), in a bolder, wider variant of the typeface. Store Norske Stempel offers a design inspired by this style. While Vertikal Jernskrift included only numerals and limited letters, Store Norske Jernskrift provides a complete alphabet with punctuation and multilingual support. The typeface was developed as part of the Skrift i Oslo project, which aimed to revive Oslo’s visual dialect by restoring traditional sign painting. Jernskrift is now popular for branding, posters, and editorial projects due to its distinctive, powerful style.

The Store Norske Jernskrift Typeface font is designed by Arve Båtevik

Store Norske Jernskrift is designed by Arve Båtevik.