LaTeX is considered the most powerful system in the world for typesetting mathematical documents. Though this is well known in the publishing world, some publishers still express uncertainty about how a book with a complex design will be paged in LaTeX. Some of the most often asked queries include:

• Is it OK to use four colors?
  
• What fonts can we use for the math?
  
• Can we use screened boxes?
  

When we supply the answers to these queries, our clients are often surprised at how flexible LaTeX can be. Rather than assuming that an author’s LaTeX files need to be converted to Quark format, we always recommend that all attempts be made to work with those files, bearing in mind the author most likely has spent hours slaving over them. Generally, working with the publisher’s provided specifications is not problematic. But in some cases, the specs may need to be slightly reworked in order to avoid typesetting nuisances.

The following are basic TeX/LaTeX design limitations to keep in mind:

• Four colors can be used within LaTeX. However, LaTeX has no built-in support for trapping, so complex color combinations should be avoided.
• Because fonts are grouped into “families,” the use of arbitrary characters is difficult and should be avoided.
• Any PostScript font can be used. However, the font will need to be prepared in advance so that TeX can recognize it. Adobe font metrics (AFM) are converted into metrics that TeX can read (metrics “suitcases” for Textures, TFM files for all other TeXs).

Most LaTeX books contain a lot of math. Unfortunately, finding a set of math fonts to match a typeface is not always possible. There are a limited number of symbol fonts available from which math characters may be taken. The primary combinations used are Computer Modern & CM Math, Times Roman & MathTime, and Lucida Bright & LucidaNewMath. Others are possible, but are significantly more difficult to implement properly.

When choosing math fonts, make sure that all necessary symbols are available: Are Fraktur or script characters needed? Bold Greek? Will mathematics occur in section heads, and if so, will the default math fonts harmonize with the section display font?

An example of an equation set in LaTeX using Times Ten, Computer Modern, and the MathTime font family.

The fact that there are very few complete math font families effectively limits body text fonts to those that work with Computer Modern, MathTime, LucidaNewMath, or Adobe MathPi (as noted above).

There is no built-in support for graphics, which must be added through a platform-independent means, such as inserted PostScript files.

Because of nuances in LaTeX’s page-breaking algorithm, it is difficult to work with boxed material that spans pages. Boxes should be limited in length so that they don't flow across pages. “Boxed material” includes text with vertical rules in the margins, background screens or gradients, and (nonfloating) elements surrounded by rules or boxes.

Other than this short list of design limitations, LaTeX is still regarded as the mathematical typesetting language of choice not only because of its built-in functionality for typesetting math, but also because of its excellent hyphenation and automatic numbering system. So whether it is a critical edition of a medieval Icelandic manuscript, an automated data-collection and reporting system for anesthesiologists, or a college-level structural engineering book, LaTeX is extensible and customizable for complex or unique projects. It is also available for all modern computer platforms, and it is freely available on the Internet.