Contact line relaxation of sessile drops on PDMS surfaces: A methodological perspective

•A natural relaxation of as-placed water drops on PDMS surfaces was observed.•Actual contact angle hysteresis on deformable surfaces is hidden.•Slow moving contact lines on elastic surfaces are out of “quasi-static” regimen.•The “braking effect” developed on soft surfaces affects contact line dynamics.•The drop formation by controlled volume variation resolves steady contact angles.