I tried to construct a small sheet with text and equations presented in a convenient publishing form, using Column:
Column[{
Row[{"An integral:"}],
Row[{Integrate[f[x], x]}]
}] // TraditionalForm
But every time the integral sign appears in one of expressions inside the Column, Mathematica reduces its size in the output. In this particular case the output looks like

Without the Column (or Grid, which seems to have the same effect) wrapper, the integral sign looks convenient:
Row[{Integrate[f[x], x]}] // TraditionalForm

I tried to add Pane wrapper to the Column contents, and played with ItemSize option too, with no effect. Actually, I can't even figure out what exactly happens within the Column (or Grid) function that reduces the \[Integral] size.
So, the question is: what causes the shrinking in Column and Grid, and is there a way to control it?
I was thinking of using GraphicsGrid instead, but it seems look more like a hack than a proper solution—if it would help at all.
Notes:
- You can notice the same effect in a Standard Form too, it is just more clear in the Traditional output.
- I'm using Mathematica 8 on Windows 7 Basic.



Isolating the individual pieces often helps in controlling different kinds of formatting.