The advent of high-speed shuttleless looms has increased the importance of sizing. Starch has been the most popular and economic size material. Synthetic binders are also being blended with starch to improve weaving loom efficiency. Some synthetic size materials have restrictions in use mainly because of ecological reasons. In the recent years, many modifications have come up in the starch as a sizing agent. Different modifications can give different properties, which can suit to particular application. In this study, different varieties of natural starch, modified starch, and synthetic size materials are evaluated, and properties like retrogradation and desizability were studied to investigate their potential for modern weaving conditions. Comparison is made between various materials and it is observed that paste characteristics and film properties of certain modified starches are better than the natural starch. The experiment was also designed to check the properties of blend constitution. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.