Heat-fixed (i.e. iron-on) appliqués are made of 3M reflective fabric, the most well-known manufacturer of reflective materials.
Attaching: iron at the maximum heat allowed by your base material, through a thin cotton cloth. Add a little steam or make the cloth slightly damp beforehand. The attachment is strong and washable, but depends on several factors:
1. The more even and dense the base material is, the better it will adhere.
2. The harder it will adhere, the higher the temperature can be applied. If adhesion is doubtful, iron through the base fabric from the wrong side as well
3. Attachment is more difficult if the base material has been treated with some modern impregnating or dirt-repellent chemical (such as Teflon spray). In this case, you can attach the appliqué by sewing.
4. Use sewing even if the base material is heat-resistant (e.g. nylon) or delicate.