Store Norske Stempel - Typeface derived from Norwegian number plate lettering, developed for branding, posters, and editorial use.

Moving van from Frogner Transport Agency with “Leievogn” plate, 1950. Photograph: Leif Krohn Ørnelund / Oslo Museum.

About

Store Norske Stempel is a typeface derived from the lettering used on Norway’s first official car number plates. On January 17, 1929, Norway implemented regulations that standardised the typeface for all car number plates. This standard, known as Vertikal Jernskrift (vertical iron letters), was produced in two styles and was influenced by local hand-painted road signs prevalent during that period. The majority of plates were produced 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, including “Rutevogn” (route vehicle), “Leievogn” (hire vehicle), or “Drosje” (taxicab), using a bolder, wider variant of the typeface. Store Norske Stempel is based on this variant. In contrast to the original, which included only the letters necessary for these terms, Store Norske Stempel offers a complete alphabet with punctuation and multilingual support. The typeface was developed as part of the Skrift i Oslo project, which sought to revive Oslo’s visual dialect by restoring traditional sign painting practices. Stempel is popular in branding, posters, and editorial projects due to its distinctive and impactful style.

The Store Norske Stempel Typeface font is designed by Arve Båtevik

Store Norske Stempel is designed by Arve Båtevik.

Store Norske Jernskrift is a related typeface inspired by the numbers on the original number plates.