Comfort Colors Moss is a very dark, earthy green, deep enough that it reads almost like a green-black in low light. It's a pigment dyed, garment dyed color, so the darkness comes with a soft, slightly faded surface instead of a flat, inky finish. Think deep forest floor, not lime and not army surplus.
- Color family
- Deep forest green, earthy
- Brand
- Comfort Colors
- Dye type
- Pigment, garment dyed
- Pantone reference
- 5605 C (Comfort Colors' nearest match)
- Fabric (1717)
- 100% ring-spun cotton
What color is Comfort Colors Moss?
Moss is one of the darkest greens in the Comfort Colors lineup. Comfort Colors ties it to Pantone 5605 C, which is a deep, shadowy green that sits right at the edge of black. On the shirt, the pigment dye lifts it a bit, so you see more green than the chip suggests, especially in sunlight.
The name is a little misleading if you picture bright, spongy moss on a rock. This is the moss you see in deep shade: dark, muted, and slightly warm. That makes Moss a great alternative to black or charcoal when you want a dark shirt that still has some character.
How the garment dye shows up
Pigment colors are the ones Comfort Colors describes as having a vintage look for the life of the garment. On Moss, that shows up as subtle lighter patches, a softer look at the seams, and some variation between shirts in the same order. More background is in what is garment dyed.
Which Comfort Colors styles come in Moss?
Moss is not one of the widest stocked colors. At the time of writing, S&S Activewear lists it on the 1717 heavyweight tee and the 6030 pocket tee. We did not find it there on the 6014 long sleeve, the 1566 crewneck, or the 1567 hoodie. If you need a full matching set with sweatshirts, check with your supplier or look at Blue Spruce, which covers more styles.
Moss vs other dark Comfort Colors shades
| Color | How it compares to Moss |
|---|---|
| Blue Spruce | Lighter, cooler, and grayer, with a blue undertone. Moss is darker and deeper. |
| Hemp | A mid olive or army green. Much lighter and more yellow. |
| Emerald | Bright, saturated jewel green. Moss is muted and much darker. |
| Pepper | Washed charcoal gray with no green. The closest "neutral" swap if Moss is out of stock. |
| Black | A reactive dye color. Deeper and more even. Moss is softer and clearly green beside it. |
For a full side by side, use our Comfort Colors color chart. For how the washed charcoal option compares, see what color is pepper.
Design colors that work on Moss
Moss is a true dark garment. Treat it like you'd treat black, with one difference: the green leans warm, so warm accents look better than cold ones.
- Cream, bone, and natural white. Softer than bright white and a perfect match for the vintage dye.
- Gold, mustard, and amber. Rich and outdoorsy. Gold on Moss is a classic for camp, hunting, brewery, and heritage style designs.
- Burnt orange and rust. Fall colors that sit naturally on a deep green.
- Tan and sand. Low key and earthy. Works best in bold shapes rather than thin lines.
- Bright white for small text. When readability matters most, white is still your friend.
Colors that fail on Moss
- Dark greens, navy, brown, and black. They disappear completely. The white underbase keeps them solid, but there's no contrast to see.
- Mid olive and army green. Too close in value. The design looks muddy.
- Cool, icy pastels. They can look a bit off against the warm green. Test before running a big order.
A tip for distressed and vintage art
Moss already looks worn, so distressed art fits it well. Build the texture into your file: knock out small holes or use halftones so the dark shirt shows through. DTF prints exactly what's in your file, so the shirt only shows where your art is transparent.
Pressing DTF on garment-dyed Moss
Heavyweight garment dyed cotton is thick and can hold moisture. Distributors also note Comfort Colors pigment dyes are heat reactive, with a recommended maximum fabric temperature of 320°F. Our settings stay under that.
- Lint roll the print area. Dark shirts show every speck of lint trapped under a transfer.
- Pre-press for 5 seconds. Removes moisture and flattens the fabric.
- Press at 300°F for 10 seconds with high pressure.
- Peel hot. Peel right away in one smooth, low pull.
- Post-press for 5 seconds. Cover with parchment or a Teflon sheet.
Dark pigment shirts can show a faint shiny or darker square where the press touched. Let the shirt cool fully before you judge it, and use a cover sheet over the whole area.
FAQ
Is Comfort Colors Moss olive green?
Not really. Hemp is the olive or army green. Moss is much darker, a deep forest green that can look nearly black indoors.
Is Moss darker than Blue Spruce?
Yes. Blue Spruce is a lighter, grayer, cooler green. Moss is deeper and warmer.
What color text shows up best on Moss?
White and cream for small text. Gold, mustard, and orange for bold headlines. Avoid dark colors as your main elements.
Does Moss come in a hoodie?
At the time of writing, S&S Activewear lists Moss on the 1717 and 6030 tees, not on the 1567 hoodie. Ask your supplier for current options.
Print on Moss
Bring light, warm art, and orders placed before 1PM PT ship the same business day.