Links through parts, 'Sprue' lines, what have you used to reduce cost?

[SlideWRX 785]

I have some parts that I would like to put up on shapeways, and I have been looking at the options for minimizing cost of production.  The designs have multiple parts, so it seems the cost goes up even though the parts are small. I have seen some people put a plastic link through a set of parts to make them into 'one' part. Others stick them together kinda like parts on a sprue that you cut off.  Any thoughts on this? Any feedback from it?

[VagabondStarJXF 350]

I've done both and the price is generally more for the through link as it uses more material, although not a lot more. I personally prefer the sprue type but sometimes it can break apart in post processing if it's too thin.