Tendency of paint film to take on the imprint of an object that is placed on it (e.g., a shelf, table, window sill or countertop with books, dishes and other objects on them).
Possible Causes:
Use of low quality semigloss or gloss paint.
Putting a painted surface back into use before paint has fully dried.
Solution
Use top quality acrylic semigloss or gloss latex paint. Low quality latex semigloss and gloss paints can have poor print resistance, especially in warm, damp conditions. Acrylic latex paints generally have better print resistance than vinyl latex paints. Fully cured alkyd paints also have excellent print resistance. Make sure the recommended “cure” time is allowed for the paint before it is put into service. Cool or humid conditions require more curing time.
(image courtesy of The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute)