Branding

This article is about the process of burning an insignia into a Transformer's bare metal. For Transformers as a brand, see Transformers brand.

"Now, this might sting a bit...eh, who am I kidding, this is going to sting a lot!"

Branding the mark of a Transformer faction into one's structure is more significant than the simple inks that humans paint upon themselves. It weaves its way into the body, taking hold of vital circuits until it makes its way to the Transformer's very spark. And once the branding is done, it is not easy to remove...

“	Welcome, brave Decepticons. Your destiny awaits...	”
—Megatron as he brands the Constructicons, "A Bridge Too Close, Part I"

Fiction

Marvel Comics continuity

It leaves a mark.

Marvel The Transformers comics

Jetfire was branded as an Autobot after being given life by Optimus Prime's Creation Matrix. Rock and Roll-Out!

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

After sufficient (and painful) modifications to the structure, a newly recruited Decepticon would then be branded with the mark of the Decepticons. Starscream once claimed that it was all part of Megatron's way of controlling them. The War Within issue 3

Energon cartoon

When Megatron defeated Scorponok after his resurrection, he painfully branded the mark of the Decepticons onto the Terrorcon general as a way to remind him of his power. Megatron Resurrected

Later, after the creation of Alpha Quintesson's planets, Megatron rebranded Scorponok, going even further than the last time. Protection After this, he captured Inferno and branded him, causing a mental battle within Inferno over whether or not he was an Autobot. Imprisoned Inferno The dilemma only ended with his death. Farewell Inferno

Animated cartoon

Once the Constructicons had completed the space bridge, Megatron then initiated them into the ranks of the Decepticons. After the pair recited the oath of loyalty, Megatron then branded them with the Decepticon seal...painfully. The two Constructicons suffered some serious discomfort, but also got a color change of their exostructures and optics. A Bridge Too Close, Part I

For further information, see: Rite of the Deceptibrand

Prime cartoon

After defeating Unicron and losing his memories of being Optimus Prime, "Orion Pax" was brought back to the Nemesis by Megatron One Shall Rise, Part 3, where Knock Out affixes a shiny new Decepticon badge onto Orion's shoulder. In this case, it didn't appear to be particularly painful to Orion. Orion Pax, Part 1 After Jack restores Prime's memories with the Key to Vector Sigma, Prime realizes he'll have to have his insignia changed back. Orion Pax, Part 3