The shape memory behavior of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), both at macroscale and microscale, is presented. PVAc films exhibited excellent efficiency in programming macroscale deformation. Cyclic tensile tests on PVAc films revealed the importance of molecular weight in programming macroscale deformation in film. PVAc film with the highest molecular weight (∼228 kDa) exhibited maximum durability in programming macroscale deformation. This gives an important insight to the discovery of new shape memory polymers since chain entanglements in high molecular weight glassy polymers can impart shape memory behavior. In addition, such shape memory behavior can be exploited to imprint and tune microscale patterns on the film. Microprismatic patterns were embossed and programmed on shape memorizing PVAc films. Two different test methodologies were used to study the programmability of patterns on PVAc films. Pattern programming was significantly affected by the method used. In both cases, recovery time and temperature were two important parameters to determine the efficiency of programming. In addition, optical properties of PVAc films could be switched between reflective and transparent by programming patterns on the surface of the film. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44659.