Charter is a typeface designed for the low-resolution laser printers of the early 1990s. Like many typefaces designed for a specific purpose, Charter proved to be useful far beyond its initial remit. It is an open, upright, low-contrast typeface for running text; its italic has generous, rounded shapes. In creating the letter forms, Matthew kept in mind the limitations of computer memory as well as laser printing, avoiding complex curves and keeping the strokes as straightforward as possible, while still giving the face a comfortable old-style feeling.