Whenever I open up a gallon paint can, I take a drywall screw and punch
about a dozen holes in the recess of the lip the lid goes into. This keeps
the depression from filling with paint, as it will drip through the holes
into the can. Punch them so they are about 1/8" wide so the paint will flow
freely. Still a mess any way you go, but a little better that way. You can
use it on smaller cans as well.

Yer welcome.

Steve