A size press composition for improving properties of lignocellulosic material is provided herein. The size press composition includes an aluminum salt and an anionic styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent. The aluminum salt and the anionic styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent are substantially homogeneously dispersed within the size press composition based on visual observation utilizing a microscope at 10× magnification. A size press composition formed by a process is also provided herein. The process includes combining a dye and a starch to form a dye mixture. The process further includes combining the dye mixture, a styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent, and an aluminum salt to form the size press composition. The dye, the starch, the aluminum salt, and the styrene acrylate emulsion sizing agent are substantially homogeneously dispersed within the size press composition based on visual observation utilizing a microscope at 10× magnification.