Even the mainstream media has waded into the stream of rumors regarding the supposedly upcoming iPad Mini. The Wall Street Journal reports that component makers across Asia have started to crank out parts for the supposed 7.85-inch tablet.

Photo credit: BoLoPad.com

Specifically, the WSJ cited two people familiar with these developments as saying that full-scale manufacturing of the iPad Mini’s display has commenced. South Korean manufacturer LG Display – which is also believed to be making the in-cell touch screen panels for the iPhone 5 – and Taiwanese producer AU Optronics are the two companies tipped for this task, according to previous reports.

Rumors about the supposed iPad Mini have gained plenty of steam in the past few weeks. A report by Japanese blog Macotakara claimed that production has started in Foxconn’s Brazilian facilities.

At the same time, a series of pictures have leaked out from a Ukrainian website, which purportedly show several key components, including two views of the back plate, display panel and front panel. These images are largely in line with earlier reports on the device, showing thinner side bezels as well as a nano-SIM card slot and black plastic strip that indicates the presence of cellular radios.

It was also claimed that Apple will send out invitations for a media event later this month to unveil the iPad Mini in a matter of days. Cupertino should send out these invites in the next week or so if it intends to hold the event on October 17, as rumored, ahead of a late-October or early-November release.