A process is provided for applying sizing to a wet laid fibrous sheet that comprises providing an aqueous slurry that comprises cellulose fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers; forming the wet laid fibrous sheet from the slurry; and applying an aqueous sizing composition that comprises one or more sizing agents to the wet laid fibrous sheet. In embodiments, the cellulose ester staple fibers are present in an amount sufficient to permit the sheet to have a higher sizing composition uptake and to impart higher sizing properties to the sheet, compared to a sheet formed from a 100% cellulose fiber slurry, when processed under similar conditions.