It is essential to use base papers having proper surface characteristics in coating operation for improving coated paper quality and coater runnability. To fulfill these purposes, surface sizing of coating base stock with oxidized starch is commonly practiced. Use of cationic starch for surface sizing improves coated paper quality since cationic starch penetrates less into paper structure. The immediate objective of this study was to examine the influence of surface sizing with starch solutions containing cationic polymers on the rheology of coating colors and the effect on physical properties of coated papers. Changes of rheological characteristics of coating colors placed on the plastic substrate surface sized with cationic and anionic starch were determined. Results of rheological test showed that cationic polymer surface sizing agent increased electrostatic interaction with coating colors and increased storage modulus. This new technology of using cationic polymer as surface sizing additive was considered to be advantageous for base papers at low basis weights since it would improve the coverage and optical properties of coated papers.