The mechanism of rosin size retention in rosin soap size-alum systems was studied on the basis of sizing behavior and the rosin size and aluminum contents of handsheets prepared under normal and particular conditions. Rosin size, aluminum, and calcium contents of handsheets prepared with various stirring times of pulp suspensions after pH adjustment suggested that rosin size components adsorbed on pulp fibers predominantly have the structure of free rosin acid rather than rosin aluminum or calcium salt. When a carboxyl group-blocked pulp was used, the rosin size content clearly decreased. This result shows that pulp carboxyl groups play a significant role in rosin size retention. Electrostatic interactions between dissociated carboxyl groups of pulps and anionic rosin size components through cationic aluminum compounds must be present in pulp suspensions. On the other hand, nonionic interactions in pulp suspensions, which occur particularly around pH 6.2–6.5, may also contribute to rosin size retention and appearance of sizing features. When the carboxyl group blocked pulp was used, some rosin size components were retained in the handsheets in largely coagulated form, resulting in no or quite low sizing levels, when the handsheets were dried at 20°C.