A logo can look impressive in a large, polished presentation and still fail in the situations it'll actually be used in. Before signing off, run it through these checks.
The small-size test
Shrink the logo to the size of a favicon or a social media profile photo — roughly 32 pixels. If details disappear or the mark becomes an illegible blur, it needs simplifying before it's finished.
The black-and-white test
Remove all color and view the logo in pure black and white. If it relies entirely on color to be legible or distinct, it will fail in contexts like faxes, single-color printing, engraving, or embroidery.
The distance test
View the logo from across a room, or shrink it dramatically on screen and step back. A logo meant for signage or vehicle wraps needs to read clearly at a glance from a distance, not just up close.
The context test
Mock the logo up in its real applications — a website header, a business card, a social profile — rather than judging it only in isolation on a blank background. Some issues only become visible in actual context.
The memory test
Show the logo to someone briefly, then ask them to describe or sketch it from memory a few minutes later. If they can capture the essential shape, it's simple enough to be memorable.
The short version
Before approving a logo, test it small, in black and white, from a distance, in real applications, and from memory. A mark that only works under ideal conditions isn't finished yet.