The total prohibition of figurative representation in the Qur'an meant that only abstract motifs or 'illuminations', particularly geometrical ones, were used as decoration. This decorative work attracted a range of different artistic specialists, such as bookbinders, calligraphers and illuminators, and ended up spreading to other disciplines, such as weaving, metalwork, carpentry, monumental inscriptions and architectural decoration.
The most common format used for Qur'ans was a vertical rectangle, although square and horizontal examples were made.