One way of adding size to the paper was by brushing the solution onto both sides of the finished sheet of paper. From the extract below, it would appear tha the paper was moist prior to the introduction of size, presumably because fibre in their wet state are swollen, and more receptive to the addition of water-based mediums. It is possible, therefore, that newly formed sheets, if placed on a wall o similar flat surface to dry, could have been sized whilst in this position: sizing it this manner would have prevented the curling of the sheet with the introduction of the starch. This process was mentioned by Qadi Ahmad, quoting a poem by Mawlana Sultan 'Ali,