Surface

Surfaces are terrain features in Splatoon. There are two types: inkable and un-inkable. Inkable surfaces comprise most of each stage's terrain, being counted towards players' turf counts. Un-inkable surfaces are less common, being used as barriers or stage boundaries or to make an area more difficult to maneuver in.

Inkable surfaces
Inkable Surfaces are terrain features that can be covered in ink. Ink shot or flung with will appear on these surfaces, allowing Inklings to swim across them. Most inkable surfaces behave identically, despite varying appearances.

Concrete
Concrete is one of the main surfaces found in Splatoon, being featured heavily in most stages. It appears as a uniform black or gray surface, with few noticeable differences in a single area.

Tile
Tile is found primarily in Arowana Mall and Walleye Warehouse. Instead of appearing uniform, like concrete, it takes on a tiled pattern. The tiles are typically beige or light gray.

Wood
Wood features heavily in Camp Triggerfish and some locations in Blackbelly Skatepark. It is also the material of crates, telephone poles, and planks found throughout Octo Valley.

Metal
Metal can be found most often in Walleye Warehouse, Saltspray Rig and Bluefin Depot. It appears as a silver or rusted red pattern, often adorned with rhombal designs.

Brick
Brick is used frequently in Octo Valley and various single-player missions. It can also be found in Bluefin Depot. Like the name suggests, it appears as a common red or orange brick pattern. These bricks are often broken or cracked.

Soil
Soil is the main surface in Kelp Dome. It appears just like flat soil, with a brown appearance and the presence of a few weeds.

Grass
Grass is a type of surface that is primarily green or blue, often decorated with flowers and other small plants. It appears very frequently in Octo Valley, and significantly less frequently in Urchin Underpass, Blackbelly Skatepark and Flounder Heights.

Plants
Plants are small surfaces that are often overlooked in Kelp Dome. They appear as beds of flowers in rectangular containers near each team's Spawn Point.

Paper
Paper appears primarily in Walleye Warehouse on top of crates. They can be painted and swam on.

Signs
Signs are plastic and metal signs that appear throughout Octo Valley, Inkopolis Plaza, and in the training area behind Ammo Knights. They tend to appear vertically, displaying various messages and graphics. They act like normal surfaces.

Trees
Although trees are inkable, Inklings cannot swim up them as their leaves would provide no support. They appear in Octo Valley, Inkopolis Plaza, Flounder Heights, and Urchin Underpass, but serve practically no purpose other than an obstacle.

Cicadas can be heard singing in the trees in Flounder Heights, unlike the trees found in other parts of the game.

Glass


Glass is a common un-inkable surface, appearing in stages such as Urchin Underpass, and even in the fight against the Octowhirl. They appear in lots of stages as walls.

Grates


Grates are semi-solid surfaces that allow the Player to pass through, intentionally or not, while in squid form. The grates themselves however, cannot be covered in ink. Examples of grates can be found in maps such as Bluefin Depot and Kelp Dome, to name a few.

Water


Water is a common liquid; it is less a surface and more a hazard, as it cannot be stood upon, much less inked. Water is deadly to the touch for Inklings. Water can be found in maps such as Camp Triggerfish and Arowana Mall, in addition to various locations in Octo Valley.

Barriers
Barriers can be found in Multiplayer or Octo Valley in various locations. Their rubbery, cushiony qualities prevent the barriers from taking any ink whatsoever, making them excellent for cover. Be warned however, as a weapon with an arc (such as a Slosher) can go over the top of the barriers and still strike any vulnerable Inklings behind. Barriers can be found in stages such as Kelp Dome and Moray Towers, as well as various locations in Octo Valley.

Tarps
Tarps are large surfaces of plastic that cannot be inked at all. It is uncommon but it can be found at the top of containers in Port Mackerel, and in various spots in Bluefin Depot.