Assign roles
Choose a background, a main foreground colour, and a limited accent. Test their proportions in a small layout. The same colours can feel restrained or noisy depending on how much space each receives.
Check readability
Place ordinary text on the intended background and inspect it at the expected size. A pleasing colour pair can still be difficult to read. Evaluate contrast and meaning together.
Test across media
Compare screen and print samples using the intended production method. Record the colour values and profile with the work so the palette remains usable beyond the original display.